Surprisingly, Maxim’s rose from humble origins. There are different accounts of its founding, but most historians agree that the Paris restaurant was established by Maxime Guillard, who opened it in a tiny coachman’s house. Luckily Guillard became friendly with a popular courtesan, Irma de Montigny, who brought all her friends to dine there.
Maxim’s Becomes Legendary
Maxime Guillard unfortunately went bankrupt and had to hand over his beloved restaurant to Eugene Cornuche. Cornuche got artists from the School of Nancy to decorate the interior in the lavish Art Nouveau style, with murals, mirrors, and plush red banquettes.
Maxim’s became a symbol of the opulent Belle Epoque era in Paris. Everyone who was anyone dined there. Patrons included royals, such as Edward VII, courtesans like La Belle Otero, and singers, such as Mestinguett.
The food was expensive so many guests dressed very well, but ate Pommes Frites, a house speciality while they watched the diners and gossiped about their latest escapades.
The name of the famous artist, George Goursat, known as Sem, became synonymous with Maxim’s. He used to sit there for hours drawing caricatures of the patrons.
Acts who appeared in the restaurant-club included the comedienne, Madeleine Aubry and
Maxim’s Declines
The legendary restaurant went through hard times after the First World War. It was acquired by Octave Vaudable in 1932. He had to endure the occupation of the Germans. Maxim’s even became a British officer’s mess hall for a while.
The famous French restaurant was revived in the 1950s.
The Revival of Maxim’s
Movie-stars, such as Marlene Dietrich, and the very wealthy dined at Maxim’s in the 1950s. The legend revived and Maxim’s again became the place to be.
Brigitte Bardot even caused a scandal when she entered the famous restaurant in bare feet!
The patrons were apparently so wealthy that a treasure-house of lost jewelry was later found inside the restaurant.
The restaurant was sold to the famous French designer, Pierre Cardin, in 1981. According to legend, Maxim’s was about to fall into foreign hands to the great sorrow of the owner. He asked Cardin if he would buy it. Cardan was slightly tipsy at the time that he agreed, apparently, but he kept the agreement. He has added an Art Nouveau Museum and a 1900’s Cabaret to the restaurant, making it even more alluring.
Maxim’s is again frequented by rich people and movie-stars. The mouth-watering menu includes dishes, such as Fried Norway Lobsters with Avocado Pulp. There is also a boutique hotel attached to the Paris restaurant which only has 33 rooms. The Art-Nouveau Museum contains an apartment with twelve rooms decorated in the finest Belle-Époque style.
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