Paris, France is undoubtedly recognizable for the Eiffel Tower. It’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of Europe – let alone the world. And while not always popular when it first debuted in 1889 – now, over 100 years later, it continues to surprise and delight the millions of visitors that head to see it every year.
There are loads of ways you can enjoy the Eiffel Tower. From above at a rooftop restaurant, from afar when you see it towering over a street, from the Trocadero, or of course from visiting the tower up close and personal with a visit.
But did you know you can eat at La Tour Eiffel? There are several dining options at the tower but today I’ll be sharing my experience dining at Le Jules Verne. Le Jules Verne was renovated entirely recently and reopened in the summer of 2019. Alongside the re-opening, they also installed a new chef, Frédéric Anton. The previous chef of Le Jules Verne was Alain Ducasse. Chef Anton is a triple Michelin-starred chef from his prior restaurant Le Pré Catelan.
I dined at Le Jules Verne in February 2020 in order to test it for my Paris, Perfected business. Everything I recommend through Paris, Perfected has been personally tested and vetted by me personally.
Le Jules Verne Review
Le Jules Verne Ambiance
410 feet up in the air, once you are welcomed off the private elevator, you’ll be greeted with exceptional views of Paris from the second floor if the Eiffel Tower. The dining room is chic and welcoming and has a variety of beautiful views to look out over Paris through the restaurant’s non-reflective glass windows.
Following your meal, you can enjoy the ambiance of the Eiffel Tower’s viewing deck as well! Le Jules Verne has a private entrance for restaurant guests to access one of the viewing decks so you can go outside and enjoy Paris from above.
Le Jules Verne Menu
Frédéric Anton’s Le Jules Verne menu works to highlight unprocessed and noble ingredients from various regions in France including crab, prawns, free-range poultry, foie gras and chocolate. He has been said to draw inspiration from The Eiffel Tower itself and works to exude femininity, roundness and harmony in the dishes presented.
At lunch time you can choose from an a la carte menu or a tasting menu. The a la Carte Menu is €135 and only available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and for lunch only. For the tasting menu that is available at both lunch and dinner, you may choose from either a 5 Course Tasting Menu from €205 or a 7 Course Tasting Menu from €245.
The pricing of the menus does not include any beverages. If you enjoy a wine pairing, Le Jules Verne’s master sommeliers have a variety of amazing wines they’re able to pair with your meal.
The Le Jules Verne menu changes seasonally and often but examples of dishes you may get to enjoy include:
Sea Bas with Vanilla, Green Peas and Mint
Cod with Olive and Capers and Bouillabaisse Consommé
Farmhouse Poultry with Morel Mushrooms and Wild Garlic
Chocolate Soufflé with Cocoa Nibs Ice Cream
Like most fine dining experiences in France, Le Jules Verne really prides itself on providing special extras throughout the meal and everything presented is exceptionally plated and well thought out. I found the lunch tasting menu extremely generous but well portioned for the lunch hour.
Le Jules Verne Dress Code
Le Jules Verne is fine dining and therefore smart casual dress is requested. Sportswear including shirts, shorts, sneakers, etc…is not accepted at either lunch or dinner. Le Jules Verne is a special dining experience and it’s the perfect ocassion to dress up in Paris for a memorable meal.
How To Make A Reservation at Le Jules Verne Paris
Reservations are a must when dining at Le Jules Verne and you can book a reservation easily on the restaurant’s website. It is recommended you do so well in advance (reservations open up 90 days in advance) and I’d try to book a table by one of the windows if you’re able to. (Seating is according to the date of registration of bookings, hence booking early!)
Jules Verne is open everyday from 12pm to 1.30 pm for lunch and from 7pm to 9pm for dinner service.
It is closed on July 14th (Bastille Day) for dinner.
If you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours before your arrival, you will be refunded however if you cancel less than 48 hours before your arrival, you will be charged a pre-booking reservation fee of €135 (incl. VAT) per person for a lunch booking and €205 (incl. VAT) per person for an evening booking.
When you arrive for your reservation, you’ll want to go to the South Pillar entrance where you’ll have a Jules Verne security line to enter and then you get to ride in the restaurant’s private elevator which is a fun ride to the 2nd floor of the tower.
My Honest Review Of Le Jules Verne
If you’re looking for an iconic dining experience for a special ocassion meal in Paris, Le Jules Verne is such fun. The food is beautiful and delicious and you can’t beat the view of Paris from above that the restaurant offers.
I think dining at Le Jules Verne restaurant is a very cool “do it one time” experience but I was so impressed with lunch that I would like to go back for dinner service and to do a wine pairing with the tasting menu.
I thought the service was exceptional and kind and the restaurant, despite being fine dining, was welcoming and not overly pretentious.
If you go for lunch on a clear day you’ll get amazing views of Paris nearly 360 degrees around. At nighttime, you’ll have the chance to see Paris all lit up and if you have a later dinner service, you’ll get to enjoy the Eiffel Tower sparkling either while you are dining or as you depart. (The Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour every hour for a few minutes beginning once the sun has gone down).
I also really like that you can avoid the massive crowds visiting the tower by dining there. It feels like a very special experience to don your finest and experience fine dining in such an iconic monument.
Thank you for this review. I’ve been to Jules Verne twice about 4 or 5 years ago when it was still a Ducasse restaurant. The first was at Christmas time for a milestone birthday for a special aunt I was in Paris with. Even though it was a very expensive lunch it was so special, the food, the service and especially the location. About a year later I was back with one of my nieces who had just graduated from college and was visiting Paris for the first time. Her Mom and I took her to lunch there and again it was amazing (although the elevator broke and we had to walk down the steps!) I’ve been wondering how the new chef and decor is. The next time I’m in Paris for a really special event I’ll have to go back! Thanks for the review.