Best Restaurants in Paris: Tom Dixon’s Brilliant Renovation of Le Drugstore

Le Drugstore Lounge Designed by Tom Dixon, Tom Dixon Micro Wingback Chairs, best restaurants in paris
The interior design, product and branding design consultancy at the heart of renowned lighting designer Tom Dixon’s brand, Design Research Studio, recently completed a glamorous renovation of one of Paris’ revolutionary hotspots. Historically known as Publicis Drugstore for close to 60 years, the brasserie’s facelift came with a new name as well, Le Drugstore, and is quickly becoming one of the best restaurants in Paris!
Le Drugstore designed by Tom Dixon at Publicis Drugstore Paris, best restaurants in paris, champs elysees restaurants, Michelin star chef Éric Frechon
Located at the end of Paris’ Champs-Élysées on the ground floor of the iconic entertainment and shopping complex, Le Drugstore restaurant and bar is a new lease on life for the legendary site.
In 1958, Publicis Drugstore was started by Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, founder of the world-renowned advertising agency Publicis Group, with the goal to bring American consumer convenience and bar culture to the Parisian public.
Open 7 days a week until 2am, the luxury convenience store was the first of its kind offering an array of products under one roof and still does so today – from books, pastries and jewelry to cigars and champagne.
Le Drugstore designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris
 

“A place of energy, movement, and novelty, breaking away from routine without losing its identity. Its roots are Anglo-American, its spirit is French. All this is embodied in the new Le Drugstore restaurant, from breakfast to an after-work, from tea-time to an evening meal. This brasserie proclaims the identity of the place and everything it symbolizes: accessibility, comfort, pleasure. A legendary site designed to enhance every moment of the day with a generous welcome that makes everyone feel at home.”
~ Jacques Terzian, General Manager of Publicis Drugstore.

 

 
Le Drugstore designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris, upholstered chairs, luxury furniture, polished brass
The new interior design of Le Drugstore is an elegant fusion of simplicity and luxury, modern and vintage, with a distinctly French allure and a 1960s glamorous vibe.
“The unique Parisian identity of the Publicis drugstore has always inspired me,” Dixon says. “I remember having bought there, late at night, an aspirin. I remember the Publicis’ logo representing a lion, in stainless steel. It relates to a certain image of France. Modern, looking to the future. For this restaurant, what interested me was to slow people down, to put them at ease.”
Le Drugstore Bar designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris
Polished marble, wood and brass finishes are warmed and softened by luxurious leathers and velvets in rich jewel-toned yellows, reds and greens creating a sophisticated and elegant space.
The 3,750 sq ft interior is divided into three areas, a bar, lounge and kitchen. A warm glow flows throughout with the main lighting being coffered ceilings illuminated by Tom Dixon’s Melt Surface lights which were just recently launched at Milan’s Salone del Mobile in April 2017.
Le Drugstore designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris
Inspired by a gentleman’s study, the lounge area is wrapped in bespoke brass and a reeded glass bookcase and features wingback chairs in deep yellow and charcoal grey wool from Tom Dixon’s furniture collection along with custom lighting designed by Dixon.
The design is composed of luxury furniture throughout including a range of steel and upholstered high and low bar stools and dining chairs designed exclusively for the restaurant. The seating was inspired by a 1950’s collection created for Publicis Drugstore by the prominent Mid-Century French decorator Mathieu Matégot.
Le Drugstore designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris, upholstered chairs, luxury furniture, polished brass
An open kitchen and patisserie invite diners to experience the world class cuisine of Éric Frechon, three Michelin starred at Epicure – Hotel Le Bristol Paris.
Le Drugstore Kitchen designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris, three Michelin star chef Éric Frechon
Le Drugstore Kitchen designed by Tom Dixon, best restaurants in Paris, three Michelin star chef Éric Frechon
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