In Paris, this former mansion is the home of a film director.

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Did you know? Right in the heart of Paris’s 8th arrondissement lies a Michelin-starred restaurant with a storyline worthy of a movie script! In a sublime 18th-century mansion once home to Luc Besson, chef Mathieu Pacaud reinvents French gastronomy. Push open the doors of Apicius and discover a treasure trove of French art de vivre. A place where Parisian elegance mingles with the pleasures of the table. Here, refinement, gastronomy and well-kept secrets are the watchwords.

This Michelin-starred restaurant hides an infinite number of secrets…

Paris is beautiful in any season, but let’s face it, when the days get shorter, there’s nothing more comforting than taking refuge in a place steeped in history, far from the hustle and bustle. Imagine wandering through a lush garden before discovering a refined setting where every architectural detail tells a story. Today, we open the doors to a secret address that only a few gourmets know well: the Apicius restaurant. Prepare yourself for total immersion, from Michelin-starred cuisine to the mysteries of an impressive wine cellar, in what was once the home of the famous film director Luc Besson.

A private mansion steeped in history and gastronomy

The story of Apicius begins in an unassuming little street in the 8th arrondissement, behind a sober gate bearing the number 20. As you cross the threshold, it’s as if you’ve been transported far from Paris. Before arriving at the beautiful classical façade, you first cross a magnificent garden. And it’s hard to imagine that a parking lot still stood here in the early 2000s. The building, an 18th-century mansion, was once the home of film director Luc Besson. Pushing open the doors reveals a majestic setting, where history can be read in the classified frescoes on the ceiling and the opulence of the salons.

Inside, the ambience is both classic and resolutely contemporary. You’ll find an elegant bar with a spectacular chandelier and, above all, the gourmet restaurant. At the helm of this Michelin-starred address is talented chef Mathieu Pacaud. With great precision and unashamed gourmandise, he celebrates traditional French cuisine by reinventing it. And his cuisine is a veritable festival of flavors. Enjoy, for example, an incredibly creamy butternut velouté, a mushroom dome with Meurette sauce, or an incredible duck parmentier revisited as a foie gras crème brûlée.

Les Trésors Secrets de la Cave

TheApicius experience isn’t limited to the plate. Wine enthusiasts will be dazzled by the work of head sommelier Valentin Cotton. In fact, we were lucky enough to descend into the depths of the hotel to discover one of the capital’s most impressive cellars. A confidential place, home to over 2,200 references!

Far from clichés, Apicius takes wine very seriously, and the sommelier will expertly guide you to find the perfect match. Some absolutely exceptional bottles are even kept in a safe with a biometric door, proof that the security of fine wines is no small matter! If, like us, you’re a wine lover, Valentin Cotton organizes monthly winemaker dinners. It’s a great opportunity to meet the people behind each label and discover their work.

And of course, how can we talk about Apicius without mentioning its bar. With its frescoes and chandeliers, the bar is breathtaking. The perfect setting for a cocktail before… or after dinner!

Practical information

📍 Address: Apicius, 20 Rue d’Artois, 75008 Paris.

📅 Events: Head sommelier Valentin Cotton offers winemaker dinners every month. Ask at the restaurant for upcoming dates.

💸 Budget: This is a Michelin-starred restaurant. Expect a bill accordingly, but for an unforgettable gastronomic and historical experience.