The Purchase of the Iconic Culinary Haunt Is the Latest in a New Push From LVMH to Expand Its Hospitality Portfolio
Adding to its extensive hospitality portfolio, LVMH has announced the acquisition of Chez L’Ami Louis, a Paris-based bistrot with a profoundly esteemed reputation, generous portions, and lofty prices. While the financial details remain undisclosed, LVMH assured that it intents to maintain the unique character of the establishment as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Adding to its extensive hospitality portfolio, LVMH has announced the acquisition of Chez L’Ami Louis, a Paris-based bistrot with a profoundly esteemed reputation, generous portions, and lofty prices. While the financial details remain undisclosed, LVMH assured that it intents to maintain the unique character of the establishment as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
L’Ami Louis, previously characterized by The New York Times as a “small, shabby place with peeling brown walls and shaky chairs”, has been the dining spot of numerous renowned personalities throughout its history. Marlene Dietrich, the infamous German-American actress and singer, was known to arrive at the bistrot on Sundays before it opened to enjoy a peaceful, hearty lunch.
In 1999, French President Jacques Chirac took his American counterpart Bill Clinton for a meal at the restaurant, which is also popular with Hollywood figures such as Tim Burton, Francis Ford Coppola, Brad Pitt, and Johnny Depp. In a recent visit, Spanish singer Rosalía sampled the bistrot’s burgundy snails, immersed in garlic butter, while also featuring raspberries on her Instagram account.
Bernard Arnault and François Pinault, LVMH’s and Kering’s respective luxury magnates, are also known to frequent iconic establishment as well. The bistrot and its delicious offerings, such as slabs of foie gras, roast chicken glazed with goose fat and butter, not to mention its wine cellar boasting almost 20,000 bottles, have earned it a cherished spot on the gastronomic scene.
L’Ami Louis will operate under the LVMH Hospitality Excellence division, which recently welcomed the Orient Express brand into its fold. The division has outlined ambitious plans to expand this iconic brand through the addition of more trains, sailing ships, and hotels.
LVMH has been steadily broadening its presence in the hospitality industry. Its acquisition of the luxury travel operator Belmond Ltd., which owns the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and several high-end hotels, was a significant move in this direction. The takeover, which cost $2.6 billion in cash, demonstrates LVMH’s commitment to enhancing its hospitality offerings. Its portfolio now includes the Cheval Blanc hotels and Cova cafés, among other properties.
In addition to their fashion and leather goods, the group’s flagship brands Dior and Louis Vuitton have recently introduced more eateries in their main outlets in metropolitan cities. According to LVMH, L’Ami Louis is an “authentic Parisian gem” that has built its reputation on generous dishes and “exceptional quality of its ingredients”, with produce sourced from small breeders and market gardeners who have been tied to the restaurant for several generations. LVMH aims to “work alongside the existing teams to preserve the unique character and family identity of the restaurant and continue to support its French savoir-faire and expertise”.
