Restaurant is the Jewel of Eiffel Tower
Awesome Altitude Dining Courtesy of Alain Ducasse at the Jules Verne
Oct 24, 2008
Perched high above the Seine River and cosily nestled under the carefully constructed network of pylons of the Eiffel Tower is a superbe dining establishment known as the Jules Vernes.
Eiffel Tower Provides Proud Home to Distinctive Restaurant
The symbol of France’s capital city and one of the most recognisable images around the world, the Eiffel Tower stands tall, proud, and sometimes glittering over Paris and the Seine. Not only one of the most visited sites in the city, the 324 m (1,063 ft) tower is also home to a couple of restaurants, most notably the Jules Verne, an exceptional dining establishment with one Michelin star under the expert tutelage of Alain Ducasse. Located on the 2nd floor, 410 ft up the Eiffel Tower, the Jules Verne is accessed by a private lift, and specially picked-out tunes, near the South Pillar.
Minimalist, Lightweight Design and Discreet Style Give Soft Ambiance
Everything – every little and big thing - was weighed and measured before the place could be fitted out, so as not to overburden the strict weight requirements of this noble historic monument. Additionally, in order to reduce the stress on the pillars and lifts, Ducasse had an underground kitchen installed, where deliveries could be received, veggies washed, and partial preparation taken care of, before the ascent into the mother kitchen of the establishment.
The dining rooms are minimally decorated with sleek lines and stylish table settings. Luckily for patrons, the Pininfarina chairs are still there, which happens to be the very same company that has designed interiors for Ferrari and Maserati automobiles. They prove quite comfortable for dining as well as admiring the view!
Because of the historic monument status, no open flames are permitted, so there are no candles on the tables. Not to worry though, the creative ceiling lighting - designed by Herve Descottes who illuminated the Mona Lisa in the Louvre - gives a soft luminescence inside, maximizing the amazing and far-reaching view outside. The tower lights frame the windows, and presently, the restaurant is bathed with a lovely soft blue, due to the Tower’s blue hue in honour of Nicolas Sarkozy’s turn as president of the EU. An added bonus in the evenings is the sparkling lights every hour upon the hour in the evenings, so no need to look at a watch! By the way, the lights used to twinkle for 10 minutes each hour, but it has been decided that in order for Paris to be an example of cutting back on energy consumption, the lights will now sparkle for a duration of five minutes.
In keeping with the “no flames in historic monument rule”, there are no gas flames allowed in the kitchen, so all stoves and ovens are induction or electric. For smoking patrons, this also means there is no specially designated smoking balcony or terrace, so if you wish to have a cigarette in between courses, it is necessary to take the private lift all the way down to street level.
New Renditions of Classic Menu and Impeccable Service with Exacting Attention to Detail
The menu is 100% French with welcome modern twists here and there, ultimately resulting in refined and delicious fare. Ducasse strives for perfection and harmony and in his own words, the cuisine is a combination of "Beautiful products, perfect technique, perfect harmony, a few precise, reduced sauces, (everything) in harmony with French wines". The wine list, by the way, is delectable and designed to work in harmony with the food selection, which includes tournedos, lamb, lobster, and a myriad of other delectable treats.
The service for the evening was remarkable and the attention to detail of the waiters and sommelier was supreme.A nice touch to top off the evening is that women guests are given a nicely-presented package of Jules Verne madeleines on the way out! A great way to savour the experience for even longer.
All in all, the Jules Vernes is a true "jewel" of an experience and a once-in-a-lifetime experience when visiting the City of Light!
