Air France is shortly opening a pop-up restaurant, coinciding with the Paris Olympics. As an aviation geek, I love this concept, and am (almost) sad I’m not in Paris for the Olympics.
I first wrote about this several weeks ago, but wanted to provide an update, as Air France has provided more details, including real pictures of what this facility looks like.
Air France’s restaurant at Palais de Tokyo in Paris
The Paris Olympics is taking place in late July and early August 2024. Air France is one of the sponsors, as of course this is a huge event for the airline (it’s not great for profitability, though). To celebrate the occasion, Air France has a special pop-up at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, from July 27 until August 11, 2024.
This include a freely accessible area spanning over 850 square meters (~9,150 square feet), showcasing all kinds of things having to do with Air France. Between 11:30AM and 6PM daily, visitors are able to try out Air France’s newest business class seat, there’s a virtual reality Airbus A350 cockpit visit opportunity, and much more.
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up
However, here’s the coolest part — Air France is opening an 80-seat pop-up restaurant, offering a dining experience just like onboard. Now, of course the concept of voluntarily eating airplane food on the ground probably sounds bizarre to most people, but I’m sure I’m not the only aviation geek who would sign up for this in a heartbeat. Besides, Air France has among the better catering out there.
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up restaurant
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up restaurant
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up restaurant
The restaurant is serving food from Air France’s long haul business class cabin. Each meal consists of an appetizer, starter, main dish, a cheese selection, and dessert, as well as a selection of wines, champagne, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The presentation is even similar to how you’d be served on a plane, with the use of a meal tray. The dishes are created by French chef Arnaud Lallement, while the desserts are created by pastry chef Nina Métayer.
Air France’s Palais de Tokyo pop-up dining
This experience costs €85 per person
While visiting the exhibition is complimentary, a meal in the Air France restaurant costs €85 per person. This is available from July 27 through August 11, 2024, with reservations available daily between 11:30AM and 3PM.
The price includes all the food, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You can make your reservation at this link.
This is the coolest opportunity we’ve seen to enjoy airplane meals on the ground in quite some time. The only cooler thing I can think of is back in 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic, when Singapore Airlines transformed an A380 into a restaurant (temporarily).
Bottom line
Air France is opening a pop-up restaurant at Palais de Tokyo during the Paris Olympics. For €85 per person, you can enjoy a multi-course meal plus drinks, just like you’d get onboard. While paying to enjoy airplane food on the ground will probably make most people chuckle (especially in a foodie city like Paris), I dig this idea.
Are any OMAAT readers attending the Paris Olympics and planning on checking this out?