Le Polidor, Paris, France

Paris, France, has no shortage of dining options as the City of Lights is continuously considered to have the world’s best cuisine. But behind the frou-frou and attitude of some Parisian eateries lies authenticity and humility.

Case and point: the rustic Le Polidor in the sixth arrondisement. Located a stone’s throw from the Pantheon and the Jardin du Luxembourg, this French gem was once frequented by Ernest Hemingway and Victor Hugo.

The wooden window sills and trim evoke the inviting appeal of a French country cottage. Within Le Polidor’s warm walls, cooking ingredients and homey accents line dark wooden shelves that surround long tables, suggesting and encouraging a communal style of dining. Both the décor and the recipes have remained practically unchanged for more than a century.

The menu consists of only the most characteristic and classic of French dishes like beef bourguignon, duck confit and escargots. Finish your meal with a cheese plate and wash it all down with a bottle of Bordeaux wine, straight from the wine cellar beneath the dining room.

With every reason to serves its dishes at the highest price, the affordable menu is a pleasant surprise, with main courses ranging from €12–20..

Le Polidor

41 Rue Monsieur le Prince

75006 Paris, France

33 1 43 26 95 34