La Couronne

One of our favourite meals during the few months we lived in Rouen. We arrived on a Sunday evening without a reservation and with our dog, and were kindly given a spacious table on the second floor. The setting alone makes it a special place to dine. We chose the set menu, which included a fantastic cheese selection, perfectly cooked duck for the main course, followed by more cheese and an excellent apple tart for dessert. Despite arriving later in the evening, we never felt rushed and the service was relaxed throughout. It’s certainly not the cheapest option, but the quality of the food, the atmosphere and the experience more than justified it. An unforgettable interior and a meal we still talk about.

What a perfect meal! We were brought in by the amazing history of La Couronne and somewhat concerned by reading some less than perfect reviews but we were pleasantly surprised. Each course was so enjoyable, the service was impeccable and portions were generous and well timed. All at a reasonable price.

Excellent lunch. Very welcoming and super tasty. 2 gentlemen that were servicing were great and it felt that they love what they do. They also gave great recommendations

We can feel the heritage of the restaurant. We also ordered the special squeezed duck that is cooked in its own blood and bone marrow with red wine and Cognac. Its a unique experience. I love the duck entree and the second main course more than the first. My wife also ordered the oysters.

I’ll start by saying the food is excellent, no denying that. Was it worth the wait though? I don’t think so. Absolutely do not recommend if you want to do anything else that evening! We had only the one day in Rouen, and had wanted to explore more of the city that evening, but that opportunity was taken from us. My wife & I both ordered 4 course set menus, and it was no less than 40 minutes between courses. It was an hour and 5 minutes between our starters and mains! The waiter was polite and helpful when he was there, but that was rare. Our drinks were empty the majority of the time, and no one asked if we wanted more or offered to bring the wine list back. No explanation or even recognition that things were taking longer than they should. We had a 7PM reservation, and at 10PM when I finally asked when our dessert was coming (so we could finally pay & leave) we were told there’s a lot of people, so it’s slow. It’s all reservation-only, they knew well in advance how full it was going to be and could have planned accordingly. We didn’t get out of there until 10:40, and that’s only because I rushed them to bring the check once dessert did come out. When we did leave, there was a table that had been seated before us that was STILL waiting for their deserts. I felt so bad for them.

La Couronne was just beautiful. Cozy, warm, eclectic interior. Many photos of famous people who have experienced this restaurant. We were able to eat upstairs in a room facing the courtyard. It was warm. Hans who was our primary server was gruff and apparently displeased that our reservation was for 2:00pm as the kitchen closes at 2:30. He would circle our table when he felt our course was over. I must say we slowed our eating to a snails pace just to torment Hans. Thus the 4⭐️. Rating for service. Hans should find employment more suitible for his temperament, perhaps an undertaker. Jarode assisted and was charming. Wonderful smile and attitude. All that said, the food was perfection. Appetizer prosciutto salad, main course rib eye and sea bass was mouth watering. The dessert, sliced apples finished the meal perfectly. All in all it was an exceptional meal.

Amazing! A true unique experience that combines high quality food, service, environment and create a full experience that is spotless. Remarkable. I have read about this place before and had high expectations, but they were not only met, but exceeded. Starting with the service - I have booked in advance and my table was ready for me when I arrived, in the main room. I would recommend booking in advance for peace of mind. We had 2 different menus, one was the Julia Child one (not on the official menu but you can just ask them). The other one was a beef menu. Both were just mind blowing. My husband was enchanted by the oysters - absolutely fresh and delicious. I had a Parmesan pana cota with cured meat and it was so good. As main we had the fish and the beef. They were cooked to perfection, but in both cases the cherry on top was the sauce. Both sauces were really delicious. After the main we got a plate of cheese as part of the Julia Child menu and we were delighted- local cheese with an impressive quality, it was incredible. On the beef menu it was a small plate of lettuce salad - the dressing again was just perfect. The only thing I would not repeat was the desert. We had the sufle and it was not my favourite- I would try something different next time. The ambience is a bit magical and is truly unique to have a meal in such a historical place. We were there for 3 full hours, but the time was flying and the whole experience was amazing. We will remember this dinner for sure. It is worthy every penny. Can’t recommend enough- would give 10 stars if I could!

I would not recommend this place at all. You're much better off spending your money elsewhere. We went there for an evening meal, and what a disappointment it was. Spent over £250 for three people, and it turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences we've had. The fish was overcooked, and the starter was just about passable. My lemon cake dessert was a disaster the cake was bone dry, like it had been left out for days, and there was barely any cream. The soufflé was average at best. The cheese course had a decent selection, but the staff were completely uninterested, they only gave the names of the cheeses and offered no explanation or engagement. The atmosphere didn’t help either. The interior is cluttered with old, tacky photos of celebrities from decades ago, which just adds to the dated and dreary vibe.

Known as the restaurant that inspired Julia Child to embrace French cooking, La Couronne is both a traditional restaurant and a bit of a tourist attraction. It's not a tourist trap, just a place that attracts Julia Child fans. We dined there for lunch one afternoon. They offer a 3-course Normandy menu for 29 Euros that changes; a 4-course menu for 45 Euros, and a la carte selections. We selected the Normandy menu and enjoyed a salmon pastry appetizer, a delicious red fish entree, a rib of veal entree, a browned clementines dessert, and a plate of small desserts with coffee. We also enjoyed a glass of wine with our meal. The food and wine were very good. Service was a little slow -- even early in the afternoon before the dining room filled up. The vibe in the restaurant is cute French traditional. Very cozy and comfortable. Julia Child is represented with a large photo on the wall that she signed. Make a reservation as they get busy.

La Couronne claims to be the oldest restaurant in France. That claim is unconfirmed but it also isn't disputed, so I take it to be true. It's also true that it was in the Michelin Guide, including having 3 stars in the 1930's. It isn't in the guide any longer, and I can see why. The ambiance is appropriately old fashioned and provides for an intimate candle lit setting. The service is friendly but at times a bit slow. Our server was quite nice but often spoke a but too fast for me sometimes. The food was lacking. We ordered the pressed duck which was not good. It required salt to impart flavor. The friend legs portion of the dish was better. They have a decent wine selection, but were missing several bottles listed. I ultimately ordered one that was not on the menu that had just arrived. I enjoyed our experience for the most part, but the relatively poor food quality justifies a 3-star review. It's too bad such a historic restaurant can't live up to its storied past.

La Couronne, an iconic restaurant for numerous reasons. Our group learned that Julia Child dined here, marveled over it, and her meal here ultimately sparked her culinary career. My friends, who live in Rouen, view this place as an upscale restaurant that transports them to old-time France. This restaurant is special and is the oldest in Rouen, established in the 1300s. We made reservations for 12:00 p.m. which I recommend as they can get busy. The restaurant, first an inn, is multi-storied with seating on both the first and second floors, plus outside. We sat inside on the first floor and it was quite charming and historic. There were also lots of photos of celebrities who've dined there. The seats are comfortable and you're well taken care of. Almost all diners are foreigners and I can see why people said the service was a bit mixed. Our meal took three hours, from our apéritif to dessert. So, it takes time but things are well executed. You have to be patient, and if you're on a time crunch then either plan, let the staff know, or just don't come and be a grump. Our service was excellent, we appreciated all the English and French small talk, photos, and a couple of complimentary drinks. Of course, for us, when we've traveled this far--we had to get the Julia Child menu. Julia Child's Menu in La Couronne consisted of--Six Oysters, Dover Sole, Green Salad, and Soufflé Normand. Everything was fabulous. Hands down the best oysters I've had. The mignonette was superb and the size of the oysters was hefty! The sole was cooked to perfection, the purée de brocoli was creamy and flavorful, and it was such a generous portion! We weren't fans of the salad--too much vinegar. The soufflé was magical and something I'd never had! So light and airy but wow they do a heavy pour of Grand Marnier which is quite strong! I highly recommend trying this menu if you're interested, enjoy seafood, or like Julia Child. If you ever find yourself in the beautiful town of Rouen, La Couronne should be a must-visit. It's located in the historical Rouen. Whether it's to marvel at the outside of their restaurant or to enjoy a nice dinner. Reservations are recommended, service can be slow, but the food is so tasty!

This place is the place that inspired Julia child to become a chef in France. It is epicurean sociability at its best. Everything here is the highest quality. This is a highly rated Michelin restaurant that stands the test of time. They've been here over 600 years. Everything is exceptional. I just had one of the most incredible dinners ever. There is a special Julia Child dinner that's not on the menu ... but just ask.And totally affordable and delicious.

It's located in the "tourist" area across from the Joan of Arc church. I was a bit apprehensive that the food would not be good. However, my fears were soon allayed. Service is not the fastest and for our meal, we easily spent three hours. On the night of our reservation, they had a staff shortage so this may explain the slow service. We selected the three-course menu and i supplemented with the cheese course. We ordered: Oysters. Soft and briny Pate Monkfish Duck Cheese course Soufflé with calvados Apple pie (Tarte tatin) The presentation was great, the portions were enough and the flavors were superb. I'm writing this post about two weeks after our dinner. My best memory is the soufflé. You can order it with or without calvados. Order with! Do delicious! Enjoy!

Everything was great. But I took a chance on the veal head stew. Oh well. Live & learn. But I'd come back for sure.

An old school establishment with a ton of reputation, as can be seen by all the photos of famous visitors plastered throughout the restaurant. There are 3 floors and every floor was full when we left. We tried the prix fixe menu with the special Normandie beef. It was delicious! Generous serving sizes for the price, we were stuffed by the end. Meat was cooked perfectly. As soon as our floor's dining tables filled, service shows significantly.

I ate where American's celebrated chef, author, teacher and TV personality Ms. Julia Child had an epiphany. After a first French meal at #lacouronne , Julia decided to devote her life to promoting and teaching French cooking. ‍ I enjoyed this dining experience! It's charming, serves classic French, very reasonable for its quality, gratifyingly sumptuous and also historical. The staff is very friendly and funny, too! Not only is this place a famous restaurant destination for celebrities because of Julia Child (pictures of the famous who came here are displayed on the restaurant walls), the half-timbered building is also France's oldest inn. _ La Couronne, Michelin Recommended Winter Menu 2020 / Rouen, France _ #juliachild #rouenrestaurants #classicfrenchcuisine #michelinfrance @ La Couronne

Epic lunch experience located at the old market and across from where Joan of arc war burned to death. This Michelin-starred place claimed to be in existence since the year 1345. Great service and value for the food. You get four courses including a half bottle of Bordeaux for €56. What a bargain for this high quality food. I got the foie gras, veal in butternut cream, a Normandy cheese plate, and a Grand Marnier soufflé. I couldn't finish the soufflé. It was large. A must go if one is visiting Rouen.

There are quite a few things I'd like to say about this restaurant. First and foremost it's a great place to experience one of the oldest Inns in France, the ambiance could not be better. The food was excellent, and the service was good. As with anything that has such a following and historic significance it's important to keep things in perspective and that's what we attempted to do. I do believe that this is not the restaurant that it once was, and that's probably being generous. Do not expect a formal or upscale experience but do understand that the restaurant has become a tourist destination and the staff has clearly had to adapt to that mentality.

An unbelievable meal! Rarely does a restaurant live up to the hype but they do. The Duck was unreal, tender and flavorful. The feta and olive appetizer was light and delicious. Dessert was the perfect end to the meal a delicious soufflé or the apple tart that was incredibly tasty

What a wonderful experience - I visited as a solo diner and had 90 min for lunch before a train. The staff did a great job ensuring I could have my meal before I had to leave and was so kind. Great wine recommendations!

If I could, I would give it 0 stars. The food was terrible. They served it straight from the fridge: old shrimp with brown guacamole and non crisp wantons. After I complained the waiter ignored us the rest of the night and pawned us off on the rookie trainee who didn't know what was in the food when I asked her what something was. Save you money for a better place. Julia would be ashamed of this place now. It is in the oldest Inn in France which is cool. But in the summer inside the restaurant it is boiling. Not air-conditioning and not comfortable. Don't go here!

We stopped in Rouen, on our Seine River cruise, so of course we had to stop at La Couronne. Recapping the history, it is the oldest restaurant in France, and the inspiration to Julia Child's culinary career. It was our first visit, so we half expected a tourist trap, but were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and service. We opted to go with Prix Fixe Lunch menu which changes periodically based on ingredient availability. At the time of our visit it was about $60/pp. The meal included: 1. Amuse Bouche - a chicken liver mousse 2. Soup or Salad 3. Entree(Filet, Duck, Chicken) 4. Cheese tray(21 different local cheeses) 5. Choice of 8 different desserts, but the Souffle is a must Make sure you make reservations as they fill up, especially when the cruise ships dock. Also make sure that you have room, because the portions are surprisingly large, and the amount of food is voluminous. Service was impeccable, the clientele is fairly sedate, and depending on where you sit you have a nice view over the town square. Absolutely a "do not miss" if you are in town.

Mimsy is a huge fan of Julia Child, so she was thrilled when I snagged a dinner reservation. The oldest restaurant in France, the place that kicked off Julia's love of French cuisine, was superb. If your French is rudimentary like mine, don't worry, they have menus printed in English also. The foie gras I i've been craving was wonderous. Mimsy grinned time I gave her a bite. We decided to share the pressed duck a la Rouennaise. The rich brown sauce that is made from the pressed juices of the duck is otherworldly. We got that soufflé for dessert, I don't know how they make it so light and fluffy. The wine list is extensive, but your server can assist in picking the right one. We sat at one of their outside tables, the people-watching in this town is top notch. I think if you are visiting Rouen and are looking for a great dining experience you can't go wrong here.

By now you probably know all about the history of this place. I will focus on the food and service. Frankly, I expected a typical tourist trap. And it is was because it's pricey. However, the food was superb, service was very nice and friendly and the wine was amazing. If you have an slight duck obsession, here you can satisfy it by eating the whole bird filleted and cooked in front of you. It's quite a show and costs about €50 per person. But then it's all the duck you will ever need for the rest of your life.

I understand that if someone came from America (like us) for the very first time they would be enamored by the traditional French cuisine. We've been in France for a whole summer and have eaten in many restaurants from Burgundy to Loire to Paris. The food wasn't bad, just underwhelming which I would have given it 3 stars. I'm giving 2 because of the price for what we got. It was as almost as expensive as a Michelin 1 star we ate at and far from the quality. The oysters and Calvados were excellent. The rest felt like it was made for tourists which I don't fault the new owner for doing if they are business people looking to capitalize on the history and location. I am sure the restaurant is a far different place than when Julia Child had her famous meal there in 1948.

Rude hostess, filthy carpets, and mediocre food. Would never return.

The food was OK. The waiter should learn when to drop a bad joke and stop making a female client feel very uncomfortable throughout an entire meal.

I would like to be able to give a review for La Couronne, but I can't, because I was refused service. The hostess told me they were full after I told her I wanted dessert and coffee. A couple came in after me, and I'm pretty sure that they weren't turned away. I was looking forward to spending time in this establishment, because it's the oldest inn in France, established in 1345, even before Joan of Arc was born, or burned at the stake in front of this very inn. Maybe the next time I'm in Rouen they will have a hostess who is more polite and I will actually be able to get a table.

Service and food impeccable. All locals in the dining room except for us. My fish was perfectly prepared and presented to me prior to deboning.. They had a nice wine list but were having trouble keeping some in stock as are many restaurants. The Grand Marnier soufflé was perfect. Simply stellar, memorable lunch. Ranks with most memorable meals anywhere

A wonderful dining experience to welcome us to France after such challenging times. Beautiful ambiance. Friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable staff. An extensive wine list. A spectacular Normandy souffle. We definitely recommend a visit if you're in Rouen.

So, this is the oldest restaurant in France, eh? Founded in the 1300s, I think some of the first customers are still waiting to be served. It's a lovely restaurant to look at, has plenty of customers and a heritage to be proud of, so why have I only given it 3 stars? Well, the food is very good, but the service was incredibly slow and the menu is really expensive. Way more expensive than it should be for the food you get. So minus a star for slow service and minus another star for high prices.

Viking River Cruise Program Director recommended this place to us. Food was fantastic and the service was outstanding. You could spend most of your day or night just looking at the pictures lining the wall upstairs. They've had a few years to add to their collection. ;-)

Plan on committing the evening, with entrees arriving 90 minutes after seating. This was not specific to us, was the the same for everyone around us. Two stars because the seafood wasn't fresh, the sole meunière was not dredged in flour or served in a brown butter sauce, just clarified butter. Delivered to the table lukewarm. Wasn't expecting shaved truffles with the truffled shepherd's pie accompanying my duck breast, but not even a hint of truffle oil. They also shorted my aperitif- bottle was near the end, rather than a generous pour, it was a short pour to split the remaining liquor and short the next guest as well.

This restaurant inspired Julia Childs to be a cook and I can see why. It was nothing short of amazing! I had duck with fresh figs and a grand mariner soufflé, amongst other things. The staff was also extremely nice. If you are ever in France it is worth the trip to go there! Until we meet again.

What a fun dinner! While on a walking tour of Rouen our tour guide had mentioned that La Couronne was not as good as it had been in the past. I still wanted to go since I had just read Julia Child's autobiography and the restaurant was mentioned in the very beginning as the site of her first meal in France and perhaps the inspiration for her interest in learning more about the culinary arts. Well, I am so glad we decided to keep our reservation and dine at this wonderful restaurant because I thought the food was amazing, expecially the cheese course. I guess you would call it old-school on the inside but I found the decor very charming and the service was great despite the language barrier. I also really enjoyed getting to see all the signed photos of the numerous celebrities that have dined at La Couronne (the crown) over the years. The biggest names included Brigitte Bardot, Salador Dali, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly and even John Wayne!

We dined at La Couronne in March 2016, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Normandy. Restaurants don't come more charming and historic than this. It is, after all, France's oldest restaurant. The owner and waiter were welcoming and super attentive. It was a wonderful evening in every sense. Two of us ordered the pressed duck, an elaborate, multi-course, table-side affair that was popular circa 1900. If you don't get it here, about your only other option is the Tour d'Argent in Paris - provided that's in your budget! After the duck meat has been removed, the carcass is pressed to extract the juices. The duck meat is then sautéed in those juices, along with stock, red wine and seasonings. The resulting dish is very rich in duck and wine flavors. Our dining companion ordered the Sole Meunière, which has its own story. When Julia Child first arrived in France in 1946, she and her husband drove from Le Harvre to Paris, spending the night in Rouen. The Sole Meunière at La Couronne was the very first French meal of her life. It inspired her to study French cuisine, and the rest is history. (This event is recounted in Julia Child's autobiography "My Life in France".) The meal finished with Calvados Soufflé. It was astounding, like eating a cloud. If you're traveling in Normandy, don't miss this unique blend of fine cuisine, top-notch service, and history.

I ate here with a large group of young people, so my experience was not a typical one, but it was altogether extremely disappointing. We planned a trip to Rouen for our annual Julia Child celebration, and I'd been really looking forward to the experience. My group of 20 was seated in a private room on the third floor. The waiters seemed to not like coming up, so they only climbed the stairs when serving a course. they never once asked how anything was or if we needed more water (which we did, for 20 minutes before we saw anyone). Indeed, they didn't really speak to us at all. They also did not pour either the wine or the water when we first sat down, which I personally found odd. We had a pre-arranged menu, so I don't know exactly what I ate. The first course was a kind of textureless smoked salmon thing. I thought it tasted all right, though some of my table mates felt differently. The real problem was with the second course: duck breast. I've eaten a lot of duck in my life. It was incredibly overcooked. I don't know how they could serve it like that. If I had been alone there with my family, I would have sent it back. Everything else on the plate was bland or (in the case of the mushrooms) over salted. Desert was a plate of small deserts that were hit and miss: the star of the evening was a lemon trifle served in a shot glass. what I originally took to be a creme brulee ended up being a caramelized pudding. I chose not to eat it after one person glibly referred to it as being burnt to such an extent that she thought it might be a carcinogen. It also looked disgusting. They served espresso with desert instead of after and though they set out the sugar cubes before hand, they only later brought up the milk. This led to some drinking their espresso without milk when they would have preferred it with.

This restaurant is by far the best restaurant I have ever been to in my entire life! The food, the ambiance, the service - it was all as good as it gets! My boyfriend and I were celebrating a special occasion and went here on a recent trip to Paris (it's a quick 1h45m drive from Paris city center). We had a kir as our aperitif which was served with some tiny snacks. We then ordered the "Romantic Gourmand" menu at 49 Euros a person. This included an amuse-bouche, an appetizer, palate cleansing sorbet, entree, cheese, dessert, and after dessert sweet. Between the two of us we had the oysters, lobster gratin, pigeon, sole menuinere (the dish Julia Child ate when she first came to France), a variety of cheeses, the Grand Marnier souflee, and the chocolate cake. Every single course was delicious! The service was also the best I've ever seen - there was always someone there to bring you what you needed before you needed to ask, yet they weren't always around bothering you. Our entire meal lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes for just the two of us, which was quite nice considering we're on vacation. The ambiance is also amazing - the oldest restaurant in France (opened in 1345) - need I say more? We will definitely be back and I recommend anyone visiting Paris make a stop in Rouen to check out this gem!

My boyfriend and I were visiting the Normandy region as a side-trip from Paris and made a special stop to Rouen to dine where Julia Child had her formative experience with French cuisine. For some context, the two of us are well-traveled and are very experienced diners (I'm the daughter of a chef!). However, La Couronne, sorely missed our expectations. Service -- Of the bat, I was very impressed with our initial service and the overall atmosphere. Our coats and umbrellas were collected immediately and the tables were set beautifully in a gorgeous and old rustic room. From this point on, it all went downhill and it was apparent that this was all a facade...The service distinctly changed when we declined to order an aperitif and choose to just have a glass of wine with our meal (we were getting back in the car to drive to Paris, afterall!). This should make no difference to our server and the service we received. While the neighboring tables were being fawned over as their multiple aperitifs and bottles of wine were presented, we still hadn't received our water. Additionally, our server was incredibly condescending and seemed to belittle us because we were the youngest customers in the dining room. For example, when he presented our amuse bouches, he described them as a "little French thank you or treat", incorrectly assuming that we wouldn't know the proper term for it or that we weren't familiar with the practice. When entrees were presented, there was the very old fashioned pomp of removing the silver cover, however prior to the waiter doing so, he attempted to tease me by saying that I was being served frog legs, expecting me to squeal. His bad joke only insulted me. Finally, I was seated directly next to a smaller table that was being used for preparing a table-side duck dish that was extremely elaborate and that took the span of 1.5 hours to prepare, during which other restaurant guests were standing up and taking photos of the preparation that I happened to be sitting right by. It was very distracting. Food -- I really wanted to love my meal, but unfortunately, I got violently ill exactly 24 hours after this meal. Of course I have no way to directly attribute my illness to the food I ate at La Couronne, but it was the only meal in which I ate exclusively on my own without sharing with my boyfriend. I ordered off of the lunch price fixed menu and selected the egg dish for the appetizer, a beef and mushroom entree, and a clementine dessert. The amuse bouche was very strange and practically inedible -- something to do with scallops that were in a mousse form. The beef was terrible, very chewy, and served very rare. There wasn't any sear on the beef, instead the entire cut was very bloody with a strange after taste. I ate some of it, but when our waiter came by to collect our plates, he asked me why I didn't eat all of it. I'm not sure if it's considered poor manners in France to not finish every last morsel, but I didn't feel like explaining myself to the nosey waiter who proceeded to instruct me that "French beef is different, you're not used to it". Normally, I read negative reviews like mine and assume that the customer had a bad attitude or was exaggerating, but I assure you that I was not looking for faults, it just happened that this was a truly miserable lunch that caused me to have to spend two full days being sick instead of enjoying Paris. Please save your time and money and enjoy one of France's many other wonderful restaurants.