Gigi Paris: the favorite restaurant of Parisians
Karmita Medeiros I @karmitamedeiros
In the last twenty years, brothers Jean Louis and Gilbert have ruled supreme in the world of Paris’s hottest restaurants, bars, and hotels, including L’Avenue and the Hotel Costes on Rue Saint Honoré.
But over the past few years, with a fresher, more contemporary touch, the new Paris Society group has arrived, putting on a major show with fifty new spots to dance, dine, and drink in the French capital, Saint-Tropez, Megève, Val d’Isère, London, and Courchevel.
In 2021, Paris Society opened the incredible beachside restaurant Gigi in Ramatuelle (i.e. the Saint-Tropez resort on the Côte d’Azur) and also at the ski resort in Val d’Isère.
Gigi opened in October of last year, and its first branch in the French capital is housed in the legendary and beautiful Champs-Élysées Theater building, inaugurated in 1913 as the first theater in the ‘City of Light’, built entirely of reinforced concrete.
The imposing white building stands in the coveted ‘Golden Triangle’ area, bounded by avenues Montaigne, Champs-Élysées, and George V, where Parisians and many foreigners flock to lunch or dine on the mega Italian rooftop.
Upon arriving on the sixth floor, visitors to Gigi are greeted by hostesses who only let guests up to the famous rooftop if they have a reservation; otherwise, it’s not possible since reservations are absolutely necessary.
Having lived here for many years, I always organize my bookings in advance. In fact, I’m the first Franco-Brazilian to establish a luxury concierge service here—@divina.paris—which plans clients’ itineraries with all the necessary reservations. On that note, I remind you how important it is to book any cool restaurant here. And not just restaurants, but also museums, hair salons, concerts, shopping in boutiques and galleries, and exclusive spots that operate by appointment only—as they say in the land of Queen Elizabeth, and in France it’s “sur Rdv uniquement.”
Back to Gigi: the venue features two terraces with unforgettable views of our ultimate muse—the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. Both areas are among the most sought-after in Paris. In spring and summer, during dinner service you’ll see a singer moving between tables and a DJ playing at alternating times, creating a joyful atmosphere that perfectly captures the Italian spirit of festivity.
The Italian cuisine is flavorful, but I confess I always order the catch of the day—and as someone who believes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” I stick with it and have never regretted it.
The décor was conceived by the brilliant Franco-Mexican designer Hugo Toro, who crafted spaces with Latin influences—sculpted wood, Siena yellow marble—blended with objects discovered during travels by the “king of rooftops” of the City of Light and Paris Society owner Laurent de Gourcuff.
GIGI demonstrates a deep sensitivity to art and culture, subtly blending modernity, French spirit, Italian heritage, and the spectacular touch of the famous Sicilian lemons.
The restaurant has two rooms: one with a gigantic glass wall soaring many meters high, offering views of Les Invalides and featuring a marvelous bar; and the larger mezzanine area where you’ll encounter influencers, entrepreneurs, models, tourists—people seeking an Italian-style experience with a French accent.
Ah, the French touch I adore is in the restroom sinks, with the beautiful marble soap holders by Officine Universelle Buly (a.k.a. Bernard Arnault’s LVMH)—they add the utmost charm to the toilets!
Voilà, Paris is a party!
