La Tour d'Argent is one of the oldest and most storied restaurants in the world. The name first appears in Parisian records in 1582, and by the 17th century the address on Quai de la Tournelle in the 5th arrondissement had become celebrated for both its food and its view across the Seine. Today the restaurant occupies the sixth floor of a building overlooking Île Saint-Louis, and the panoramic prospect of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the river constitutes one of the most dramatic dining vistas in the world. The cooking is rooted in the grand tradition of French haute cuisine. The pressed duck — canard au sang — has been the restaurant's signature since the late 19th century; each bird is assigned a number before service, and over a million ducks have been pressed and recorded since the practice began in 1890. Guests who order the pressed duck receive a numbered certificate to commemorate the occasion. The kitchen also serves classical preparations of brochet quenelles and the restaurant's own crêpes Tour d'Argent among the enduring signatures. The wine cellar is extraordinary: over 320,000 bottles across some 15,000 references, acknowledged as one of the greatest restaurant wine collections in the world, with particular strength in Burgundy. The tasting menus run from €240 to €310, and a complete evening with wine pairing represents a significant investment; lunch offers the same prestige at a somewhat lower price. The restaurant was substantially relaunched in 2020 following a change in management under the Frémont family, with renewed ambition in both the kitchen and the front of house. Smart dress is expected; jackets are conventional for men.
Signature dishes
- Canard au sang (pressed duck) — numbered since 1890
- Quenelles de brochet
- Crêpes Tour d'Argent
Good to know
- Known for
- One of the world's oldest restaurants (est. 1582); legendary panoramic view of Notre-Dame; pressed duck numbered over one million served
- Hours
- Tue–Sat 12:30–14:00, 19:30–22:00; closed Sun–Mon
- Reservations
- Essential; book at latourdargent.com or +33 1 43 54 23 31
Location
15–17 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris, France
48.8516, 2.3532 View on map
Highlights
- References to the restaurant date to 1582; panoramic sixth-floor view of Notre-Dame and the Seine
- Pressed duck (canard au sang) has been numbered since 1890; each guest receives a personalised certificate
- Extraordinary wine cellar: 320,000+ bottles and one of the great restaurant wine collections in the world
- One Michelin star; relaunched in 2020 with renewed kitchen and front-of-house ambition
Tips for visiting
- Request the window table on the Seine side when booking — it provides the full Notre-Dame panorama
- Lunch is more accessible in price than dinner; the pressed duck is available at both services
- Ordering the pressed duck requires advance notice at the time of booking; the ritual includes a numbered certificate
- Consider the sommelier's half-bottle selections to manage wine spend without compromising quality
- Smart dress is expected; jackets for men are conventional
Accessibility
The restaurant is reached by a private lift from street level; the sixth floor is fully accessible by this route. The dining room is on one level with clear movement between tables. Wheelchair users should inform the restaurant when booking to arrange assistance at the entrance.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
What makes the pressed duck at La Tour d'Argent special?
The canard à la presse is killed without bloodletting, then pressed in a silver duck press to extract the blood and marrow. The resulting sauce is finished tableside. Each duck is individually numbered; the practice began in 1890 and over one million have been recorded.
Does La Tour d'Argent currently hold Michelin stars?
The restaurant holds one Michelin star. It previously held three stars for many decades before losing them; recent years have seen substantial reinvestment in both the kitchen and the wine programme under new management.
How significant is the wine cellar?
The cellar contains over 320,000 bottles across approximately 15,000 references and is widely regarded as one of the great restaurant wine collections in the world. Burgundy and Bordeaux are the principal strengths.
When is the best time to visit for the view?
Evening dining around sunset provides the most dramatic light on Notre-Dame and the Seine. Lunch offers good natural light and is the more economical option.