One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is just a short walk from the Musée du Louvre and Palais Royal. Willi’s Wine Bar has been in Paris for FORTY years, opening in 1980 it has been a staple of the first arrondissement and all those that have fallen in love with it.
Mark Williamson has put his heart and soul into making it a relaxed bistro with exceptional food and bringing one of the first wine bars to Paris. I have enjoyed Willi’s many times and it is a place I never miss and always pass onto travelers looking for a wonderful meal. The menu changes but you will no doubt find something delicious and don’t forget the wine. Mark and his staff curate the wine list with exceptional wines that may be new to you but ones you will always remember.
In 1983, Willi’s began making a yearly poster with local artists that are inspired by wine and all the beauty that comes from a bottle. Past artists include one of my favorite Jean Charles de Castelbajac in 2005, Cathy Millet in 1986, Jacques de Loustal in 2004, Petronille in 2018 and MH Jeeves in 2016. You can purchase all of these wonderful photos at their website. These posters are so popular they are sometimes spotted on CNN in the background of the now normal in home studios.
https://shop.williswinebar.com/the-bottle-art-collection/?sort=featured&page=4
My favorite of all the posters is the masterpiece by Anthony Palliser where used Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People as inspiration.
Earlier this year Mark released a book dedicated to the first 40 years of Wili’s. Immoveable Feast, 40 Years of Feeding the French covers the tales from the bar, recipes and many of the images from the posters. Check out the book and posters on their website. I can’t wait to get back to Paris for a long leisurely lunch and flip through this masterpiece.
Make sure you add Willi’s Wine Bar to your list of must visit places. Open for lunch and dinner, 12h-14h and 19h-22h at 13 Rue des Petits Champs.
