Under our pen, we reveal our story: the Café Anglais & La Tour d’Argent

Founded in 1802 on the Boulevard des Italiens, the Café Anglais, under the leadership of Claudius Burdel, established itself in the 19th century as one of the most prestigious venues in Parisian life. Its golden age began in 1848 with Chef Adolphe Dugléré, a pupil of Antonin Carême, whose culinary genius made the establishment renowned throughout Europe. Among his iconic creations were Pommes Anna, Turbot Dugléré, Volaille Rachel, and Potage Germiny.

A place of power and prestige, the Café Anglais housed the famous Grand Seize salon. It was here, on June 7, 1867, that the legendary “Dinner of the Three Emperors” took place, bringing together Wilhelm I, Alexander II, the Tsar of All the Russias, the Tsarevich Alexander II, and Prince Bismarck—all visiting Paris for the Universal Exposition. That evening, no fewer than sixteen dishes, paired with rare wines carefully selected by Claudius Burdel, were savored.

Balzac, Flaubert, Maupassant, and Zola frequented this address, where they crossed paths with Rachel, Sarah Bernhardt, and the great figures of Parisian society, making the Café Anglais a true stage for gastronomic and cultural life.

The Café Anglais closed its doors in 1913, but its story did not end. Claudius Burdel passed on his legacy to La Tour d’Argent through family ties, when his daughter Augusta married André Terrail (the first of his name).

This union brought the oenological treasures and part of the Café Anglais décor into the cellars of La Tour, giving this exceptional heritage a new life.

Even today, our historic cellars are much more than a mere storage space—they are an extraordinary place where exceptional bottles mature, the beating heart of our House and a story that has continued for more than a century.