Paul Bocuse to open new restaurant in Lyon landmark
The legendary French chef plans to inaugurate "Le Grand Réfectoire" in late 2017 within the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, a former hospital now classified as a historical monument. The location will also house the future Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie, an attraction dedicated to gastronomy.
The restaurant's interior design will aim to highlight the architecture of the Grand Hôtel-Dieu and preserve its historic details, including vaults, wood carvings, stained glass, murals, and giant marble and wood altars.
"Le Grand Réfectoire" takes its name from its location in the Hôtel-Dieu's great dining hall, where the nuns of the hospital took their meals. Built in 1747 based on a design by Soufflot, the 420 square meter hall will be able to accommodate 300 diners at Ducasse's future restaurant.
The Grand Hôtel-Dieu, which is currently under renovation, will also house a 143-room luxury hotel, several boutiques, nine restaurants, a convention center, residential and office spaces, and the future "Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie," a space entirely devoted to the gastronomic arts.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and continue over three years.
