Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la Biere © French Moments
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Last Updated: 22 March 2018

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Check out number 119 rue Saint-Lazare if you are in the neighbourhood of Gare Saint-Lazare. You will discover one of Paris’ oddest buildings: the Alsatian Brasserie Au roi de la biere.


The Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la biere

Brasserie alsacienne Au roi de la bière, Paris © French Moments
The Brasserie alsacienne Au roi de la bière, Paris © French Moments

Sandwiched between two Haussmannian buildings, the Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la Bière at number 119 rue Saint-Lazare clashes with its surroundings.

Most websites and blogs about Paris will tell you that this is a typical Alsatian house… to which I’d say ‘well, not really’. Although it does show half-timbering, the façade shares some similarities with Flemish style. The cob (a mixture of clay, straw and animal hair) has been replaced here with bricks. Now look up at the statue of the man on the second floor. It represents Gambrinus, the King of Beer. We’re not talking about a guy fond of Kronenbourg but of Flanders.

Brasserie alsacienne Au roi de la bière, Paris © French Moments
The white stork, emblem of Alsace © French Moments

Anyway, to make it more ‘Alsatian’ the builders considered adding a fake white stork on the chimney. Just underneath you can spot the coat of arms of Strasbourg.

Brasserie alsacienne Au roi de la bière, Paris © French Moments
The coat of arms resembling those of Strasbourg © French Moments

Pretty kitsch indeed! 


The legend of Gambrinus

Gambrinus, the king of beer © French Moments
Gambrinus, the king of beer © French Moments

Legend has it that Gambrinus was a carillonist living in the French Flanders. Following an unhappy love affair, he made a deal with the devil. In exchange for his soul, he would forget his lover and been given hops seeds. Thus Gambrinus became the King of Beer. Today, the legendary figure still plays an important role in the folk traditions of Flanders.


The construction of the brasserie

The Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la bière was built in 1892 by architect Chausson to house a restaurant. Two years later, the house underwent a complete refurbishment to become an Alsatian brasserie. Known as “Au roi de la Bière” the building has been listed as a Historic Monument by the French State since 1997. It now houses a McDonald’s restaurant.


More info

Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la Biere © French Moments
The Brasserie alsacienne Au roi de la bière, Paris © French Moments

Find out more about the Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la Bière on these blogs:


Where to find the Alsatian brasserie Au roi de la biere

  • Location: 119 rue Saint-Lazare, 8th arrondissement
  • Closest métro station: Gare Saint-Lazare (métro lines 3, 12, 13 and 14)


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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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