Le Galion is a 44m long and 7m wide boat, originally a lightweight concrete sand barge from 1905, which today houses a charming restaurant that I was lucky enough to be invited to discover recently.
Moored along the Seine, on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, near the Suresnes bridge and opposite the Longchamp Racecourse, accessing the venue without a car is not particularly easy, but not impossible, as I managed to do it! You will need to take a bus (the 244 or 241) and walk a little through the mud (my companion’s new shoes still remember it…), but it is doable, even in the evening.
And truly, it is worth the effort because the location is magical. The boat appears like a mirage behind a tree-lined path and the ship’s lights twinkle in the night, so much so that you feel like you are about to embark on a journey through time to rediscover the atmosphere of the Spanish Renaissance.
Because the setting of this unusual venue allows you to admire the superb panorama of the Seine and, in fair weather, offers a beautiful terrace on the upper deck (something to keep in mind for next summer).
Once inside Le Galion, no disappointment, it feels so real! The fairy-tale decor of the ship allows you, for the duration of an evening, to imagine yourself elsewhere, in another era, in another place, and yet we haven’t even left the 16th arrondissement of Paris!
Another good surprise, the cuisine lives up to the venue. The chef, Alexandre Piat, formerly in charge of the Copenhague restaurant at the Maison du Danemark, offers traditional French dishes that are very well executed, sometimes with a little touch of exoticism, reminiscent of the imaginary voyages of the Galion…
- Must-try dishes and starters: you must taste the magnificent semi-cooked foie gras prepared by the chef and the scallops, which were just succulent, not overcooked, just seared and so fresh.
- Desserts: special mention for the crispy mango cream puffs.
An address that I particularly recommend for a romantic evening, because the atmosphere is very soft and intimate (and it’s a good thing, Valentine’s Day was yesterday!).
The best thing is to keep it a surprise for your guest; the magic will be all the greater when discovering this magnificent place and setting sail for an evening.
Restaurant - Barge Le Galion 10 allée du Bord de l'Eau - 75016 Paris open Tuesday to Friday lunch and dinner / Saturday dinner only and brunch on Sunday
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan and Julie Brando Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
