If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I highly recommend enjoying a meal at Le Colimaçon! Nestled in the vibrant Marais district, this charming two-story bistro is known for its cozy ambiance and traditional French cuisine with a creative twist. With its name inspired by the spiral (or “snail-like”) staircase connecting its two floors, Le Colimaçon offers a unique dining experience.
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A family affair
Le Colimaçon is special to me—it’s le restaurant de mon papa (my dad’s restaurant), and I even worked there when I was younger. The menu features some recipes passed down from my great-grandmother, like the baguette pain perdu (French toasts). The friendly staff and warm atmosphere also make it a great spot to practice your French—just let them know, and they’ll be happy to parler en français while you inquire about the menu and order.
Les incontournables (the must-tries): what to order
Speaking of ordering… Le Colimaçon serves classic French bistro fare with modern touches that make each dish unforgettable and délicieux. Here are some of the menu’s highlights:
Les entrées (starters)
• Croustilles d’escargots en persillade / Crispy snails in a buttery herb sauce. A delightful twist on the classic escargot! I typically don’t eat snails, but I always order them at my dad’s restaurant since the shells, made of puff pastry, are edible (and délicieuse)!
• Pain perdu au foie gras, magret de canard fumé poêlé, fine tranche de fruit pooch, sauce miel et cumin / French toast paired with foie gras, smoked duck breast, poached fruit, and a honey-cumin sauce. A perfect balance of savory and sweet.
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Les plats (main dishes)
• Noix d’entrecôte / Ribeye steak cooked to perfection.
• Cuisse de lapin farcie aux pleurotes, au chorizo et rôti au lard / Rabbit leg stuffed with oyster mushrooms, chorizo, and bacon, offering rich and earthy flavors.
• Tartare de bœuf d’aloyau coupé au couteau / Hand-cut beef sirloin tartare. A classic French dish prepared with finesse.
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Les fromages et les desserts (cheeses & desserts)
• Trio de fromages affinés – a selection of three aged cheeses from the renowned dairy producer Isigny Sainte-Mère.
• Mi-cuit au chocolat, caramel beurre salé et glace vanille – molten chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.
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A wine lover’s paradise
Le Colimaçon also features an impressive wine selection, including rare cuvées from the Hospices de Beaune, sourced from some of Burgundy’s prestigious terroirs. These exceptional wines are the perfect pairing for heady dishes like vol-au-vent with mushrooms and foie gras or magret de canard (roasted duck breast).
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French vocabulary for dining out
Here’s a beginner-friendly list of essential French words and phrases to help you order with confidence at Le Colimaçon, or any other French restaurant:
– Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît = A table for two, please
– La carte, s’il vous plaît = The menu, please
– Je voudrais… = I would like…
– Un verre de vin rouge/blanc = A glass of red/white wine
– bien cuit / à point / saignant = well done / medium / rare (for ordering steak)
– L’addition, s’il vous plaît = The check, please
– Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much
Plan your visit
Le Colimaçon is more than my family’s restaurant; it’s also an invitation to experience authentic French cuisine in one of Paris’s most iconic neighborhoods. Make sure to book in advance, and mention you’re part of the HF community!
📍 Address: 44 rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
🍽 Paris
Reservations: Le Colimaçon’s official website
▶️ Watch a Hello French video about the Colimaçon's must tries!
Bon appétit !
—Cécilia & the Hello French team
