Le Petit Vendôme
French restaurant · Gaillon ·
Regional classics, sandwiches, daily specials, and charcuterie
Regional classics, sandwiches, daily specials, and charcuterie
"Local workers have been lining up at the counter of this little bistro for decades to get their hands on the prototypical Parisian sandwich—and its popularity works to your advantage. The sure-handed experts atLe Petit Vendômeswipe each fluffy baguette with butter and layer on cheese and charcuterie faster than a Monaco casino dealer, so the line never lasts long. The simple jambon-beurre is a classic, and a steal at just €6, especially for the quality. But for €2.50 more, you should feast on the Spécial stuffed with dry-cured ham and creamy, almost sweet fresh chèvre. A drizzle of Provençal olive oil caps it off perfectly. While you can munch at the bar, we take ours to go and enjoy it in the Tuileries Gardens to recharge before exploring the nearby Louvre." - Emily Monaco
"It can be a challenge to find good French food in the heart of Paris, which is why this luncheonette from the ’50s is such an enduring hit with office workers, staff from the surrounding luxury boutiques, and tourists. Though the decor, with its bright chairs and cracked tile floor, has its appeal, the restaurant, just steps from the elegant Place Vendôme, brings in customers for its sepia-toned Gallic comfort food like escargots, onion soup, duck preserved in its own fat with sauteed potatoes, and chocolate mousse or tarte Tatin for dessert. The prices are modest for a heart-of-the-city meal, the crowd is intriguing, and this is an only-in-Paris experience par excellence. Come early to avoid the crowds. Located in the 2nd arrondissement. Must-try dish: A real French sandwich with ham, Fourme d’Ambert blue cheese from Auvergne, and baguette." - Alexander Lobrano
"A lively lunch bar famous for an exemplary jamón‑beurre sandwich: crackly fresh baguette, rich butter, exceptional ham, and a few cornichons assembled with rapid, practiced efficiency. The bustling atmosphere at the bar makes it an ideal spot for a classic, perfect Parisian sandwich to eat then or to grab for the plane." - ByBon Appétit Staff & Contributors
A baguette stuffed with jambon beurre here is described as a piece of art, made to order and prepared in front of you using Julien Bakery’s award-winning baguettes, gobs of super-fresh craft butter and ribbons of ham carved straight from the bone. The ham is said to put the tasteless pink stuff from the supermarket to shame, and the whole sandwich is portrayed as so evocative of Paris that if you could eat, feel and smell the City of Lights, this would be it, which is why it has been crowned the world’s very best sandwich. - Liv Kelly
