La Fontaine de Mars

A classic French bistro near the Eiffel Tower that focuses on Southwest French cuisine. We didn’t have a reservation, but the staff kindly found us a table right away. He was very friendly and took the time to explain the entire menu to us in detail. We ordered the duck confit and the duck breast, both were excellent. The duck breast was honestly the best I’ve ever had, perfectly cooked medium rare, juicy and tender with a delicious roasted honey sauce and purée. It was like the wagyu of duck, I devoured the entire plate. The confit was also cooked to perfection. A little on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it. The space is also very charming and nostalgic. I’d come back every time I’m in Paris.

Just wow. I have been to Paris 3 times and this was my last night of the trip. I always had this restaurant on my list but never booked it. They were able to accommodate me an hour before dinner on a whim. First of all, the manager or host was incredibly lovely. This was the best service I’ve had in Paris. They were all so kind and the food was great. The restaurant is the most perfect little French place. It’s truly a place to visit when in Paris. You also get salami with your bread to start which is a nice bonus. They have the best crème brûlée I’ve ever had. I truly did not have high expectations but have been blown away.

Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Portion to Price: 4/5 Overall: A very good experience. I'd come back The extended review... Food: Cassoulet - 4/5 - This was phenomenal. Portion size was amazing and I didn't walk out hungry. A very tasty dish and full of protein. Roasted Lamb - 3/5 - Pretty standard fare. Service: 4/5 - Friendly service. Ambiance: 4/5 - It's a bit tight but overall a nice experience. Portion to Price: 4/5 - Decent portion sizes and enough to leave your belly full.

La Fontaine de Mars is everything you hope for in a classic Parisian bistro: warm, welcoming, and absolutely delicious. We came without a reservation and were graciously accommodated, which already set the tone for a convivial evening. The red and white checkered tablecloths and rich dark wood décor create a cozy, timeless ambiance that feels like stepping into a beloved neighborhood institution. Our waiter was exceptional; friendly, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful about everyone's dietary needs. The starters were divine: the Blancs de poireau tièdes & ravigote d'herbes was fresh and flavorful, and the Terrine de canard, foie gras, pistache & chutney was a standout. For mains, the fricassée de poulet à la basquaise was the plat du jour and a hit at the table, while the suprême de poulet aux morilles and Pavé de saumon were beautifully prepared and comforting like a home-cooked meal elevated to perfection. Dessert was the cherry on top: we shared the île flottante, baba au rhum, and a truly unforgettable Mont Blanc fait maison; hands down one of the best I've ever had. This place hits all the right notes. Add La Fontaine de Mars to your Paris dining list…you won’t regret it. We’ll definitely be back!

My husband got the duck canard and I got the chicken with mushrooms and rice. Duck was wonderful! Chicken was good but nothing amazing. We started with the seared fois gras which was rich and decadent. For dessert we enjoyed the floating fountain which was light, sweet and different from what we usually would get. Atmosphere is quintessential Paris! Waiter was friendly and everything was explained well.

Absolutely delicious. Each dish tasted so good, the service was good, and you can see a bit of the Eiffel Tower from the restaurant. Made a reservation. Would definitely recommend. I am glad I came across this place on my travels.

Very traditional French dining experience in a beautiful restaurant. Food was delicious and staff was very friendly. We made a reservation the day before going and options were limited, so book in advance if you want more flexibility.

Atmosphere and decoration are nice. I don't think the food warrants the high price though. The steak was nice but the chips tasted and looked like 30 minute old McDonald chips, not so nice, duck breast was nice but no veg on the side. Staff and service was friendly. Food came out very quickly.

We were here 33 years ago. Just stumbled into the place. This time we intentionally came here to relive old memories. So nice to find the same place same ambiance. Nothing had changed. Our server was excellent. Helped us with the menu. Spoke English in that delightful French accent. The food was amazing as we remembered it. Ordered the duck again. So tasty. Very glad we came back.

service was fantastic. our waiter was polite, accommodating and funny. food was overall pretty good. our only complaint was some of the portion sizes seemed small. the drinks were fantastic. ambiance was nice, good patio seating and indoor seating looked plentiful!

Cute little restaurant! I'm glad we stopped here. I got the escargot. There were some rocks in two of them... it really surprised me as I bit into the snail. The steak tartare was the best out of the two we tried in two different restaurants. It had a good mouth feel. The waiter was nice as well, patiently explaining the specials of the day that were written in French. They also brought out bread and saucisson. The bread was perfect to dip into the butter from the escargot.

There was a clear prejudice as being non French. Hotel made reservations and the table provided was the worst location possible. Was able to change to another table. No issues with the menu and food and drinks. However after dinner we had ordered coffees and instead were given the check as clearly they wanted the table re-used. Would not return.

If you are planning on touring around the Eiffel Tower and are looking for authentic French cuisine, look no further... The inside is very inviting and is marvelously decorated. The menu is delightfully elegant with many different French dishes. The restaurant offers daily specials as well . For appetizers I tried the Country ham prosciutto platter , the prosciutto is sliced with a very specific meat slicer that is located on the lower level of the restaurant. The slices were razor thin. I also tried Wild Snails of Burgundy. Simply amazing! For a main course I recommend the Grand Cassoluet special . A meaty stew of poultry, sausage, pork, and beans. The presentation was incredible. It was so tasty, filling and delicious. This dish was my favorite meal of my trip to France. Dessert I recommend is the Millefeuille - hazelnut, praline and whipped cream served in an ice cream type dish. Heaven just Heaven!! The service here was impressive. Our waiter could not have been more You MUST make a reservation.

Food: - Roasted chicken - Excellent. Moist and juicy chicken, with lightly roasted crisp skin. Comes with seasoned rice and topped with mushroom and truffle cream sauce. All three combined makes a well executed dish and memorable French classic. - Daily special item - Great. Poached egg with mushrooms, toasted bread, and sauce. Tasted really good and could easily be a main menu item. - Crème brûlée - Good. Service: Good. We had a reservation and was seated promptly. Took a while to get our entrees but overall worth the wait. Ambiance/Vibe: Great. Terrace seating on a quiet street for a late evening dinner. Something everyone should try once when they visit Paris. Cost/Value: Good. A little pricey for a typical dinner. $80 for dinner for two entrees and dessert, but worth it for how good the food is. Visit again? Yes. They have a few other highly rated dishes that are worth a try.

This one of the recommendations we found in You Tube that is relatively near the Eiffel Tower (10 mins walk). They have inside and outside seating. In Paris, outside seating is the better option. Staff were friendly and spoke English that made things easy. We started with a dozen escargot. You can order 6 if you want. They were very fresh and already removed from the shell. Very delicious. We dipped the bread on the pesto and oil after. It was that good! We ordered spinach as a side as we wanted some vegetables after eating a lot of food. Paris don't seem to have many vegetable options aside from salad. I ordered the Duck Confit as this is one of their specialties. Outside was crispy and inside was juicy. It comes with baby potatoes and side of greens. I was not sure what to expect. It was well seasoned and delicious. I would order it again. We ended our meal with some ice cream and sorbet combination to cleanse our palate. Perfect way to end our meal. Highly recommend trying them out! We will visit again next time and try their other dishes.

Highly recommend reservations, beautiful cozy ambiance! Every dish amazing and delicious, a must try when in Paris! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful not only with navigating the menu, but when we left our apartment keys they went out of there way to find them and hold them safetly upon our return!

My son and I ate dinner here one night during the Paris Olympics! While we did wait for about 45 minutes for a table it was well worth it. We both had the Steak Frites for dinner and it did not disappoint. I recommend this place when in Paris you can't go wrong!

This was our first dining out experience in Paris as it was highly recommended. While the location and ambiance is wonderful, we were very disappointed in the service and food. Our waiter was clearly irritated that we did not speak much french. There is also an expectation of at least one entree/person - so sharing a meal was not an option. And the meals were very expensive, and in our opinion not worth the cost. While it may be a good spot for locals, it did not seem tourist friendly and I would not recommend.

The host accommodated us by phone for same day during peak hour and was so nice to do so since they are packed all hours even to the last hour. We are grateful for that. The French food here is amazing! They provide complementary bread, gherkins & even cured meat! Pate is a must here! It's so well made. Potato gratin was delicious. Beef tartare was the special of the day and was on point. Duck confit was solid. Service was fantastic. Their toilet area is very antique and I adore the pour of the hand soap dispenser. When we return to Paris, I'll most definitely return to this lovely gem!

The last night we were in Paris we were wandering the streets with no dinner plans and luckily stumbled across this restaurant. They got us to a table within 20 minutes. It was the best meal I had in Paris... the morel mushrooms and sauce were so flavorful on top of the chicken and rice. The server was charming and took the time to talk to us even though the restaurant was busy. It felt like a true French restaurant with red and white tablecloths and servers in what looked like tuxedos without the jackets. There were heaters outside so we were comfortable despite the cold October, rainy weather. Instead of bread for the table we got thin slices of traditional, hard sausage that I could just love off of!

Top of my Paris Bucket List and 2nd dinner of the trip. It did not disappoint. It's in the Champ de Mars area near the Eiffel Tower and is the quintessential French restaurant. The restaurant feels classic French with red and white table cloths and servers neatly dressed in suits and well-tailored uniforms. The service is very friendly and helpful with both French and English menus and servers. The food comes out relatively quick, but they give you a lot of time to enjoy the meal and socialize. We ordered both a classic Coq Au Vin and the daily special cassoulet with white beans and 3 sausages. One of my favorite meals for both the ambiance and delicious food.

Best meal we have had in Paris. Is it pricey? Yes. Worth every euro? Also yes. Service was kind for this American non French speaking couple. The outdoor as well as indoor seating is lovely and service is timely. The food was so good. We had a morel mushroom appetizer special, the Sunday special roasted chicken and the duck confit. All delicious. Thanks to fellow Yelper who recalled this was an Obamas date night location!

Incredible food, service and ambience. The pate is a must for an appetizer. I got the duck confit for my main, which was incredible. We got a side of potato gratin simply to try it and it melted in my mouth.

Very authentic French food. I loved the morel mushrooms with chicken and the cream sauce wasn't too heavy! We could've skipped on the foie gras pate but everything else was good

We finally found the French restaurant that we were looking for. The setting and ambiance were excellent. We had a great outdoor table. The waitstaff were extremely friendly and helpful, without a whiff of attitude. We were started off with bread, salami and butter. The carafes of house wine were great. The waitstaff made excellent recommendations. For appetizers, we ordered burrata, stewed leeks (different, but good) and excellent pate, served with a big crock of cornichons on the side. Our friend got the last order of excellent coq au vin. My wife had chicken with morel sauce, which is her favorite main dish in Paris to date. My buddy had sea bass, which he loved. I had excellent duck confit. We finished our meal with express baba au rhum and awesome crime brûlée. This is an awesome place to spend an evening enjoying great French food and hospitality. Our concierge gave us two thumbs up for dining here. Highly recommended.

Nice selection of menu options and wine by the glass. Entree (appetizers) are quite small and for one person only. The sole meuniere was fantastic, liked all our food.

We completely lucked out because this place fills up fast and it's very hard to get a table without a reservation. We arrived right before they opened and they were kind enough to greet us and squeeze us in right when they opened. After reading all the reviews we felt like we had just won the jackpot! All the food was spectacular! Everything was honestly so delicious. Escargot: what I liked about these is they were already pulled out of the shells. I'm still squeamish about eating snails but my dining partner is a huge fan and said they were delicious. Because they weren't in the shell , I managed to build myself up enough to take a small sliver of one - but the texture still did me in. I did, however, dip my bread in the delicious butter sauce. Yum! Maybe next time I'll be brave enough to pop a whole snail into my mouth and chew it - but for now, baby steps! Goat cheese & endive salad: so delicious! The flavors all complimented each-other so well. Chicken with mushrooms: superb! Sea bass with Kalamata olives: cooked to perfection and so flavorful! Dessert: spectacular ! I had to order the creme brûlée because its one of my favorite deserts. Well it did not disappoint! We also ordered an incredible unique dessert called "Floating Island" or Isle Flottante with Creme Anglaise. We had no idea what to expect but our server recommended it. And wow it won dish of the night for us! The texture was unexpected yet incredible and it sort of melted in our mouths. Such a wonderful dining experience. We are so grateful the staff were gracious enough to let us dine in. This was our favorite meal in Paris and I highly recommend putting it on your list of restaurants to visit. Pro tip: it's close to the Eiffel Tower and would make a great dinner spot when you visit the must-see landmark.

Scrolling through Yelp looking for desserts... and this floating island catches my eye!! I see a lot of French restaurants have versions of it, but this, this one here really stands out. I decide I have to have it. Decided to just grab dinner here as well. Cute little spot, just a few blocks from Eiffel Tower (but no view of it) say outside, it's not a crazy busy area, really peaceful. Ordered duck, very flavorful. Ate too much, so full... but have to order dessert! It was a decent crème brûlée. But this floating crème, absolutely fantastic! Dense, but airy meringue, but creamy, surrounded by melted ice cream, toasted ... best ever. Service was great as well, we did not have a reservation, Yelp made it seem like it was not needed, but seems like they are recommended! By the time we were leaving there was quite a wait for a table! Happy we timed it right.

Omg what a lovely restaurant, classic French. We sat outside on the wonderful veranda. Service and our meal was all spot on! My Poulet was delicious, perfectly cooked. Great location, just 10 a minute walk to Eiffel. I highly recommend this restaurant!

I called to make a reservation and since that call, the service is excellent. The restaurant is very well located. We asked to be seated outside and it's a great spot. As appetizers we ordered the vegetable carpaccio with goat cheese, and it was delicious! My husband had the escargot and he loved them. The wine recommendation is on point. We had a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

We've been in this bistro a number of times over the years, most recently in May, 2025. The food is classic Bistro style, We've done inside mostly, outdoors on occasion. We'll go back anytime.

Definitely worth visiting if you are ever in Paris. The wait staff was really professional and courteous, extremely attentive. The food was top drawer, definitely worth the price. I would recommend this restaurant to all my friends that enjoy fine dining.

We loved this place for a last nights dinner in Paris. The ambience was so quaint and they served us authentic French cuisine. The desserts were amazing!! What a beautiful time!

The best duck confit I've ever had. Atmosphere was amazing and service was superb. I bought the cookbook and love reading about the history.

The chicken with mushrooms was absolutely delicious and the side of green beans was fresh picked and perfectly prepared. However, the service was not great. We arrived when the restaurant opened, they were not busy just then, yet we waited 25 mins for a menu and a glass of water. First a waiter came over, then a waitress took our order, service was very spotty and inconsistent. Menu is interesting, some unusual dishes which might be desired by some, not by others.

It's a pretty good place. The food is decent and the service was really good. The desserts stood out.

Reservations were hard to come by but scored a next day reservation for lunch (presumably when someone cancelled)! Saw a few people get lucky with walk-ins but they were usually offered one of the indoor tables. Pros: - perfect spot near the Eiffel Tower and Rue Cler for people watching - delicious food; we tried the escargot, plat du jour which was a salmon and haddock tartare with salad and fries and the cassoulet Cons: - regular entrees are a little pricy in the 30-40 euro range for lunch (plat du jour was 25 euros) La Fontaine de Mars is in a great place

Returning from the Rothko at the Vuitton, I headed straight for this oasis of calm and authenticity. The choices were difficult until the waiter directed me to the carte de jour. Much appreciated. I relaxed in a nook for two with a fine view of the dining room bric a brac. Promptly he presented the daily special of braised beef cheeks with a glass of Brouilly. It was as good as I imagined it could be. That hour was a highlight of my trip.

This place was a redemption from other disappointing French restaurants in Paris. Great ambience, excellent leek appetizer, and very good Sea Bream and chicken mushrooms.

Fabulous tradional French meal. The roast chicken was succulent and the potatoes to die for. Highly recommend La Fontaine de Mars if in Paris. We walked in and were accomodatedright away with a table, but the restauarant was busy, recommend reservations. The service was execellent. One of m best meals in Paris!

Visited twice during my month in Paris. Service was great both times. The first time (Bastille Day) I did not have a reservation but they were able to squeeze me in and I enjoyed pate and wine (I love how they bring a crock of cornichons to the table!). The second time was my final night in Paris and I went (with a reservation) to try their "famous" coq au vain. It was actually great and I usually don't order chicken when dining out. I got the last one of the evening and was very glad to do so. Will definitely be back for their other dishes of the day but also just in general!

Returned for our annual meal here, unfortunately the Sunday special roasted chicken was dry. The duck breast was fine. The host was less than friendly but the waitress was friendly and made up for it. The food here is typical brasserie fare. There are many great options in the area.

Not our best meal in Paris, the steak was very tough, I was not able to finish it (did not want to). I hope this helps someone.

Quintessential French dining at its best. We were lucky enough to enjoy a leisurely lunch here on our last day in Paris. The menu is filled with classic flavors. Service was attentive. Highlights at the table were the prosciutto platter, eggs baked in wine (yummy sauce!), sea bass and the seared chicken breast. Can't forget the jar of pickles!

Great place to eat after a morning at Eiffel Tower. The service was amazing and the food very nice. We had white fish and salmon and both were tender and flaky. We sat outdoors and enjoyed the street views.

incredible food, charming menu and atmosphere. excellent service. my favorite restaurant in the world

What a delight! Fiance and I were looking for somewhere to eat for our first night in Paris whilst we were exploring after our catchup with sleep in our hotel. It was pretty busy! No reservations at around 10pm, but they accommodated us within minutes! Very kind to tourists, and the food is heavenly. We almost got full from the bread, butter, salami, and prosciutto platter we ordered. But of course we had to order the mains, which consisted of the filet de boeuf and the chicken breast with mushroom sauce. Oh my goodness, both meats were oh so tender. The white wine we ordered paired nicely with everything! And the dessert; we got the strawberries with homemade vanilla ice cream and pistachio cream, with creme brulee. The first beats the latter without a second thought. The flavors elevate you to euphoria. We left very very happy!

A T T E N T I O N ! ! ! ! This place is a MUST visit! We had the most incredible experience here during our stay in France. Our TOP experience for sure!!! We found this restaurant by doing a internet search. We were so excited, so we decided to give it a go! Our first step was to try for an online reservation. No go! However, not dissuade, we decided to take a leap and try anyway in person. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we asked the maître d' if there were any exterior setting options. He said he was booked! Heavy sigh - however his disposition was upbeat and incredibly positive - we were confused??? He did have a table and the reservation was for two hours AFTER our arrival. He said we could have the table until the reservation began!!! Voila!! We were seated!!! The staff was AMAZING-attentive, kind, swift and helpful. We enjoyed an evening of fantastic food and wine! Of course we orders desserts!!! Ummm - Please order desserts!!! Amazing ! Then, off we go and we were ready to enjoy our Eiffel Tower lights!

Simply delicious!! I flew in on a Friday night from Morocco and made my 9:30pm reservation (for one) right on-time. For one, I'm glad they have English menu's and the servers didn't seem to mind (terribly) that I ordered in English. I started with the escargot and a glass of Sancerre (HEAVEN) and then got the cassoulet for my main -- I laughed when I attempted to (also) order the pate, and my server immediately said "too much". Turns out, he was completely right! It was a spectacular first night in Paris and I was happy to dine solo, sipping wine and reading my book. I also loved the wine so much, I went for another glass (something I rarely ever do, lol). I'll definitely be back, the next time I'm in town!

My local friend recommended this place, so My family tried. And it was goood choice. If you are looking for delicious and comfort place instead of fancy restaurant. You can enjoy this place with affordable wines list. They know how to cook poultry(it was not chicken.. but I can't remember the bird name) in so French way. Should try

Special place. The one time we didn't try to get a reservation, they actually recommend it. The food. The restaurant. The entire staff. A timeless piece of history. Merci beaucoup. Muchisimas gracias. Hasta pronto en el futuro.

Wonderful food. We finally got our real French experience here that we were looking for. We had both duck dishes that were excellent and service was great. Enjoyed the ambiance and the service.

My favorite restaurant in Paris for over 29 years. As classic bistro as they come, including the red checkered tablecloths. Order escargots, duck confit, the cotes de veau. Service is friendly and efficient. And you absolutely must order an ile flottante for dessert. They do it so darn well, especially the crème anglaise

Great food and good service! Reservation recommended! Try the snails and a bottle of wine.

My husband and I are huge lovers of seared foie gras and searched Yelp to find La Fontaine de Mars. It was delicious! The pear that accompanied the foie gras provided just a little bit of sweetness to off set the super rich and flavorful bites. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. My husband's favorite French dishes are confit de cunard (duck) and cassoulet. Since he didn't want to order two entrees, I, as the dutiful wife, ordered the cassoulet so that he could have it too. We started out with some oysters on the half shell, which were fresh, lightly briny, and were medium sized - very good. Nothing really topped the foie gras, but the duck was even better than what we had at our favorite cafe near our hotel. The potatoes that accompanied weren't as rich/flavorful, but overall, my husband was super happy with his choice. The cassoulet was the special of the day. It's a stew of white beans, pork, duck, goose. I received a good sized portion, every bite had the smoky stew with white beans and meat. The whole meal was great and it's not too far away from the Eiffel Tower. Reservations are recommended, so make sure you leave room in your schedule to dine here. It's a must.

Came here in a recommendation of a friend. The food lacked any flavor, got the steak and really didn't enjoy it. The service was slow and the menu options very limited. The ambiance is cool but does not save the lack of options, the mediocre food, the high prices and the slow service. Hard pass on this place, do yourself a favor and find another restaurant.

We had a great time at La Fontaine de Mars! First time trying escargot and it was very yummy. I ordered the special that night - coq au vin. I enjoyed it and the pasta it came with was very fresh. My boyfriend ordered the duck confit and enjoyed his food as well. We got a bottle of wine and the bread was never ending. Our server was nice and being English speakers was not a problem. I do think they may have put all the non-French speakers in the same general area. Overall I would recommend this location for a traditional Parisian dinner experience. We didn't make a reservation but I would to be safe!