Le Colimaçon: The gourmet stopover in the heart of the Marais

Among the must-visit addresses in the Marais, here’s a restaurant that deserves pride of place. It fits in perfectly with the itinerary we recommended a few months ago: A stroll through the Marais, which starts at the Relais du Louvre and offers a host of amenities. (see our video).

The building dates back to 1732. The walls could tell a long story, not least that of Caron de Beaumarchais, who conceived The Marriage of Figaro, on the restaurant’s second floor. Today, this place steeped in memory is home to a table that honors its heritage. Between tradition and creativity, the cuisine on offer here is set in a setting where the past still resonates, offering an experience that is both gourmet and steeped in history.

The place has a cosy, romantic atmosphere, with two small rooms linked by a spiral staircase, from which it takes its name.

At Le Colimaçon, we serve home-cooked cuisine made with seasonal produce selected from the market, blending tradition, Southwestern inspiration and Provencal touches for an authentic, tasty experience.

We began our dinner with a croustille of escargots en persillade. These Burgundy snails are encased in fromentine. This is a thin, crispy pastry in the shape of a snail shell, made by hand. It’s original because the shell and the snail are easier to eat and form a well-balanced combination. The persillade is quite mild: 80% butter, parsley, garlic, shallot, salt and pepper.

We also liked the goat’s cheese puff pastry with apples and honey. It’s as pretty on the eye as it is on the palate. A well-balanced mix of sweet and savory. The menu does not mention the origin of the cheese.

We accompanied this meal with a glass of Anjou Village Rouge from Château de Passavant 2016 and a glass of white Reuilly from Château de la Ferté. The wines on offer are top-quality, positioned in the middle and upper ranges. The wine list is well-stocked, with prices per bottle ranging from €30 to €60, and a wide selection of exceptional wines. Service is fast. Our dishes are brought to us without too much delay. We ordered a 7-hour beef cheek fondant with black garlic mashed potatoes and Bordeaux sauce. A great success. The taste is there. The meat is quality and, indeed, it melts in the mouth.

It’s a filet of Saint-Pierre served with risotto and lobster bisque. The result is a beautiful harmony of textures and subtle flavors, with each ingredient finding its place without ever overpowering the other. A plate full of finesse.

And finally, we couldn’t resist the revisited Tarte des Demoiselles Tatin. You lose the wet effect of the short crust pastry of a traditional tarte tatin, because here the pastry is detached from the apples, allowing you to use puff pastry. It’s different, but very good.

At Le Colimaçon, you’ll appreciate the warm, rustic bistro atmosphere and the fast, efficient service. The cuisine, entirely home-cooked, is well executed, with flavors that remain subtle and controlled, without taking too many risks. They will appeal to lovers of accessible bistronomic cuisine without excess. This is an ideal address for a cosy dinner in an authentic setting. A pleasant, well-kept table, perfect for those looking for a gourmet break in the Marais, with a touch of comfort and tradition.

Le Colimaçon
Open from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm and Sundays from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm
44 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
https://le-colimacon.fr/