Maxim's

Maxim’s is marked by a deep, dark green facade and gold-leaf lettering that stands out against the pale stone of Rue Royale. Originally a humble bistro, it became the epicenter of Belle Epoque luxury after a waiter named Maxime Gaillard opened it in eighteen ninety-three. When a young count famously walked in with a chorus girl, the restaurant gained instant notoriety among the Parisian elite. It turned into the preferred playground for socialites, designers, and royalty throughout the twentieth century.