Victoria 1836 restaurant

It was in the summer heat of 1836 that the last stone of the Arc de Triomphe was laid, thirty years after Napoleon I proclaimed to his men: “You will return home through arches of triumph!”

Almost two years after the Restaurant de l’Arc closed its doors, a new eatery has opened in its place on the first floor of the townhouse at 12 Rue de Presbourg.

Far from all the uproar and revelry that can be found in Paris, the restaurant, called Victoria 1836, is devoted to upholding the values of Parisian luxury and is resolutely focused on style and elegance imbued with grace and personality.

Victoria 1836’s motto is Courage and Ambition, both characteristics that can be found on its coat of arms. As a result, the restaurant will be open for service from morning till nightfall, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or just a drink at the bar. Indeed, there are endless opportunities to experience this exquisite new restaurant.

A Small Revolution…

To hell with arrogance…welcome to a world where a beautiful interior and an exceptional location come hand in hand and in no way give people the right to look down on the rest of the world! Quite the opposite in fact.

Not only shall patrons enjoy the incredible view of Place de l’Etoile and the stunning setting, but our guests, friends and clients shall receive impeccable service from dawn to dusk.

The State of Play

12 Rue de Presbourg is where you’ll find us…And after a warm welcome worthy of one’s profile, you can take yourself up the stairs to the first floor, look to the heavens and gaze in wonder at the bar’s celestial curved ceiling.

You will be surrounded by cut stone, woodwork, high ceilings and coffee tables illuminated by the daylight streaming into the room or by the lights glittering from the Place de l’Etoile. Move closer, soak up the atmosphere and take in this exhilarating feeling: Victory may be smiling at you as the large dining room opens up before your very eyes with its many rows of perfectly laid out tables, there to better serve you.

Shame on he who thinks badly of this wonderful place. Not only does it tantalise and satisfy your taste buds, the library and its fireplace will also set the rest of your senses ablaze. To hell with our core values; this is a place to enjoy life. Make yourself comfortable, enjoy, savour and relax. And because nothing escapes you, you’ll soon realise that it’s no coincidence that there is a grand piano in the centre of the restaurant. Furthermore, the main virtue of the thick, muted carpet is to make your steps a little more delicate.

The Inner Circle

The brains behind the restaurant and head of a small empire, the Moma Group*, Benjamin Patou is supported by three discreet characters.Sarah Lavoine with her distinct style and delicate touch, Chef Alexandre Auger, who was mentored by Yannick Alléno, and his good taste and creativity and the smooth stylish sounds of Helena Noguerra.

In any case, it’s not enough to simply win the battle – it’s only the final victory that counts! And that is to satisfy a demanding, well-travelled Parisian and international clientele, that is hard to surprise and whom the Victoria 1836 restaurant has chosen to conquer and cherish.

Sarah Lavoine - And then there was silence

Sarah’s vagabond tendencies and Parisian taste – strong, sophisticated, demanding and curious – had already caught Benjamin Patou’s eye when he commissioned her to design the Pavillon Vendôme in 2011. Three years later, he called upon her services again to bring her magic touch to the Victoria 1836 restaurant.

“I was truly honoured when he offered me the project. I enjoy long-term partnerships. It’s important to work with people you like so it’s a real joy to be part of this adventure!”

She adds:

“We had to start from the beginning all under the watchful eye of the Bâtiments de France and its regulations! But the restrictions lead us to some nice surprises, such as rediscovering the original stone.

We played with transparency, wood and woodwork, cut stone, daylight, groups of mirrors and light. And with this view and setting…”

When asked how she would describe the personality and spirit of Victoria 1836, she instantly replies: “timeless, refined, warm, light…I want people to feel good here” she immediately adds: “We used beautiful materials worthy of modern Parisian style: velvet for the seating, copper for the lighting, groups of mirrors, Saint Laurent marble, porcelain mashrabiya (Sylvie Coquet)…” With a glint in her eye she says: “I like to create spaces which don’t just look good in photos…”

Alexandre AUGER - A little closer to the stars

For the last ten years, Alexandre Auger has been working closely with three Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno at Le Meurice where he began his ascent on the stairway to success. He started his career as a commis in 2004, then chef de partie and finally first sous chef in 2011. At 32 years old, and still under the watchful eye of his mentor, Auger showcases his talent for international dishes inspired by classic French cuisine.

He enthusiastically describes where his love for food came from: “I’m a butcher’s son so I have always had an affinity for using good, authentic and quality produce to create something extraordinary… ”.

The diners of Victoria 1836 can expect to see dishes such as sumptuous veal chops, delicate sole fillets in a beurre blanc sauce and a zesty citrus tartare on the menu, with a new twist.

This chef has graduated from the shadows and moved into the limelight. He is proud and grateful to have learnt so much from his mentor: “attention to detail, striving for perfection, tweaking dishes, organising and managing a team!” Now it’s time to sit down at the table and taste the experience for yourself…

Helena NOGUERRA - the cherry on the cake

Helena Noguerra needs little to no introduction. She flits from one art form to the next to delight our eyes and ears with talent and passion…

Her flawless taste and cool style set the tone and create the musical ambience of Victoria 1836, tailored to suit day or night.

She has carefully selected almost one thousand songs. Whether it be obscure artists, famous tracks, great French classics or British rock, there’s just one order of the day: to light up the room with rising and shooting stars.

Follow us on instagram