Au Pied de Cochon Paris – A Timeless Brasserie

Tucked in Les Halles in the heart of the city, Au Pied de Cochon Paris is more than a restaurant — it's a veritable Parisian institution. Opened in 1947 with the bold idea of serving the city around the clock, this historic brasserie has become a beloved spot for Parisians and visitors alike.

Known for its hearty menu featuring dishes like pig's trotters and onion soup, it's a place where time seems to stand still. With its black-and-white-clad servers, fin-de-siècle decor, and old-world charm, Au Pied de Cochon embodies the spirit of Old Paris. Let's take a closer look at what makes this brasserie so unforgettable.

1947: Au Pied de Cochon Paris Opens Its Doors

The exterior of Au Pied de Cochon, all photos Au Pied de Cochon

It's the Liberation of Paris, August 1944, and restaurant owner Clement Blanc is brimming with new ideas. One of them is to start a bistro that stays open around the clock to feed the workers who toil through the early hours in the nearby, massive food market of Paris called Les Halles.

When Au Pied de Cochon Paris opens in 1947, the new joint is a success — the booths and banquettes of the traditional brasserie are filled day and night with a crowd hungry for hot bowls of onion soup and the house specialty of slow simmered pig's feet: pied de cochon. In fact, Au Pied de Cochon was the first 24/7 restaurant in the city.

And it's not just market sellers and packers who pack into the hearty eatery. Its fame and fare quickly spread throughout the city, attracting diners from all trades and from all quartiers of Paris.

The Menu at Au Pied de Cochon Paris

Today, though the main Paris commercial food market has moved out to Rungis and the area surrounding the restaurant has been transformed into a park and shopping mall, Au Pied de Cochon Paris still flourishes.

And what's not to love with an authentic setting, servers dressed in black and white, and an old-fashioned menu that includes our personal favorite — fresh oysters sourced from the French Atlantic, are served cold and briny, perfect with a glass of crisp Sancerre.

There's also, of course, pig offered in in numerous ways — pig trotters grilled, pig's head stuffed with mushrooms, and our favorite, tete de Monsieur cochon, Mr Pig's head. There's also andouillette, other challenging sausages, and a cassoulet of pig's trotters.

And that's not to forget Escargots de Bourgogne, bursting with garlic and parsley butter, these Burgundy snails are a brasserie staple. Dining at Au Pied de Cochon means indulging in classic French fare that celebrates both tradition and decadence. The menu proudly showcases pork in all its glory.

A Dish for Every Diner

If pork isn't your preference, there's grilled lobster, flambéed veal kidneys with a pepper sauce and mashed potatoes, and a comforting cassoulet. In addition, Au Pied Cochon Paris prides itself on its seafood, featuring tempting plats de mer. Finish your meal with Grand Marnier-flambéed crêpes for a sweet touch.

If you are the faint of stomach, we don't recommend the pig snout. But you could opt for a charcuterie salad with a country paté and a crunchy baguette. Or how about a duck salad with smoked duck and lentils? Add a side order of frites and you're in French dining heaven.

Au Pied Cochon also offers a lovely 3-course set lunch menu for a reasonable price that includes a soup, a choice of fish or sausage, and dessert. We love their cocktails menu that features old time favorites like Lillet blanc or rosé (a French standard) and a Kir Royale.

The wine list is simple but robust — vins de table like Beaujolais and crisp Sancerres. And save room for the crepes flambeed in Grand Marnier.

We're sorry to read some reviews that claim that Au Pied de Cochon Paris is a tourist trap. We beg to differ. No, it's not fine dining. No, it's not New Paris with a menu filled with avocado salad bowls. It's unashamedly Old Paris with a menu redolent with dishes out of favor with many current diners: those long simmered and grilled pig trotters, and buttery escargots

This is not a temple of gastronomy. It's a piece of old world Paris, even of French history. After you meal and walk around nearby Église Saint-Eustache will aid digestion.

Put Au Pied de Cochon Paris on Your Must-Do List

There's something magical about a restaurant that defies the passage of time. Au Pied de Cochon offers a time-machine visit to an era when brasseries were the lifeblood of Parisian social life; when fresh oysters, escargots de Bourgogne, and thick slabs of pork terrine were enjoyed by hungry diners. Here's why we think Au Pied is a not-to-miss Paris attraction:

• Authenticity: With it old world, fin-de-siècle decor, white tablecloths, and bustling ambiance, the restaurant transports you to the Paris of decades past.
• 24/7 Service: Open every hour of the day, this brasserie ensures that you can enjoy its culinary delights whenever the craving strikes.
• Affordable Luxury: The three-course lunch menu is a fantastic way to sample classic dishes without breaking the bank.
• Location: In the heart of Paris, close to Saint-Eustache Church and the historic Les Halles, the brasserie is perfectly situated for a post-meal stroll.

A Legacy of Famous Visitors

Over the decades, Au Pied de Cochon has been a gathering place for the famous and influential. Dalí, with his penchant for the eccentric, was a regular patron. Alfred Hitchcock reportedly loved the robust onion soup, and Bardot added her glamour to the brasserie's already sparkling reputation. And not to forget, ahem, us.

It hasn't just been celebrities who fall under its spell; politicians, too, found solace in its warm ambiance. Charles de Gaulle was to be found seated in the booths and banquettes. When Mitterrand dined here to celebrate his 1981 presidential victory, he cemented the restaurant's place in modern French history.

Au Pied de Cochon Paris Resources

As we mentioned, the restaurant offers a robust à la carte menu, as well as set options for lunch or dinner. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended, especially during peak dining hours or for larger groups. Don't miss the chance to pair your meal with a glass of Beaujolais or a classic Kir Royale. Open 24/7, it's one of the few places in Paris where you can enjoy a meal at any time of day or night.

In summary: Au Pied de Cochon Paris is not a tourist trap — it's a brasserie happily stuck in time. Vive la France! Vive le Cochon!

• 6 Rue Coquilliere
• 1st Arrondissement
• Metro Les Halles
• Website…