The legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet in Paris is something undeniable as the watchmaker from Neuchâtel came to Paris to set up shop in 1775 at 51 Quai de l'Horloge. Ingrained in many parts of the city of light, Breguet left behind an array of discoveries, inventions and of course one of the most powerful horological legacies in the world. The Eiffel Tower in Paris features 72 names of scientists, inventors, engineers, mathematicians and Breguet’s last name is there along with those other 71 last names. Located on the eight position from left to right on the Northeast side of the tower, Breguet’s name stands in all glory in one of the most majestic architectural marvels of the 19th century.
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel to serve as the entrance to 1889’s World Fair, standing 324 meters —1,063ft— tall this is the tallest structure in Paris and the that icon that everyone in the world desires to visit one day. At the Eiffel Tower is also where the magnificent restaurant Jules Verne by Frédéric Anton is located. This restaurant offering a gastronomic voyage right in the heart of the Eiffel Tower is lead by Frédéric Anton, awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France offering an unbeatable gastronomic experience inside the mythical Iron Lady.
Closed for renovation until this Summer of 2019, architect Aline Asmar d'Amman, founder of the Culture in Architecture studio, infused Jules Verne with the timeless elegance of French decorative art in a setting evocative of the delicate balance between raw and precious, just like chef Frédéric Anton's creations.
And what better setting for a special lunch with Emmanuel Breguet than the heart of the Eiffel Tower. Monsieur Emmanuel Breguet is not only a direct descendant of the Breguet family but he also serves as the vicepresident of Montres Breguet S.A. alongside its president Marc Hayek. For our special treat, monsieur Emmanuel Breguet expert in all things Breguet and publisher of many books around horology and civil and military aviation, shared with us some incredible stories including the one about his special ring with the coat of arms of the Breguet family. Exquisitely dressed with a blue sports coat and in a very Parisian way, monsieur Breguet was wearing a Classique ref. 7337 in 18K yellow gold.
Even though we have met monsieur Breguet in one other occasion, getting to spend so much quality time with him was a real pleasure and a conversation and education around the Breguet dynasty, that we will always cherish. Thank you for your kindred spirit and your kind and welcoming personality, you made us feel just at home.
After arriving straight from a stroll at the Place Vendôme by the Breguet Museum and Breguet Boutique , the Billecart-Salmon champagne started to flow. Located 123 meters —410 feet— above the ground, the breathtaking views of Paris along with the amazing company we were with made for an incredible and unforgettable lunch at the Iron Lady. Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 and is one of our favorite champagnes as it is very understated and refined just like a Breguet timepiece.
The Le Jules Verne restaurant offers a five or seven-course tasting menu as well as a À La Carte Menu with some incredibly executed dishes by 3-Michelin star holder Grand Chef Frédéric Anton. For this particular experience and after an incredible amuse-bouche, the thin-sliced sea bass, the roasted duck and the apricots were our absolute favorites during a decadent meal that we will always remember.
Furthermore, when you are sitting right across from a direct descendant of Abraham-Louis Breguet, you know that while the food and wine pairings will be simply spectacular, a conversation with someone like him will be even better and will take the center stage. Amazing food and wines aside, the experience was further elevated by the presence of monsieur Breguet.
Now as far as Frédéric Anton goes, this chef started his career in 1984 with Gérard Veissiere at the Capucin Gourmand. Later on, he worked for seven years alongside chef Joël Robuchon and in 1999 he was awarded two Michelin stars and became Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2000. In 2007, he received his third Michelin star at the age of 43. As you can only imagine, this for sure has been one of the best meals we’ve had in our watchlife and even more special when you’re talking Breguet affairs and horology. Special thanks to our friends at Breguet for this incredible experience.
If you find yourself wanting a special meal in Paris, look no further. The magic of the Tour de Eiffel paired with breathtaking views of the city of light and amazing cuisine of this caliber, will make for a lunch or dinner that you will never forget —especially, if somehow monsieur Emmanuel Breguet gets to take you there with him.
For more info on Le Jules Verne click here and for Breguet here.
