nostalgia meets french tradition at parisian restaurant le cornichon by claves

FRENCH TRADITION ACROSS ERAS COMES ALIVE AT LE CORNICHON

The spirit of French tradition and cinematic nostalgia come together at Le Cornichon, a fresh addition to Paris’s restaurant scene with interiors by design studio Claves. Celebrating the essence of French neighborhood cafés, the all-day venue brings together elements of local bars and tobacconists from the 1930s to the present.

Each interior feature nods to a different moment in time, from the speckled mosaic flooring, inspired by 1930s architecture, to the glossy lacquered wave design, referencing 1950s Italian aesthetics. Textured plaster contrasting with walls painted in Bordeaux red, bottle green, and cream bring in a classic Parisian bistro feel, while neon-green lights evoke 1960s space-age design, complemented by 1980s-style mirrors and chrome rod strips.

all images by Matteo Verzini

A timeless PARISIAN RESTAURANT BY CLAVES

Located in the heart of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, Le Cornichon offers a warm, inviting, and timeless addition to Paris’s café scene, blending modern craftsmanship with retro charm. Inspired by the iconic cafés immortalized in INA documentaries, every detail of the restaurant’s decor, crafted by Laure Gravier and Soizic Fougeront of Claves, evokes a refined nostalgia. Custom-designed green velvet banquettes with wave-shaped backrests and chromed steel and black artificial-leather chairs are paired with curated vintage finds to create a layered, lived-in effect. 

The bar, a central feature of the space, fuses laminated travertine-effect surfaces in matte red with glossy black walnut-effect worktops—an homage to early 20th-century Formica styles. A green pickle neon light at the back of the bar adds a playful reference to the name of the restaurant, which translates to pickle. The space is infused with authentic retro elements, including a sourced pinball machine and a postcard holder, while decorative painter Mauro Ferreira’s painted ‘smoke’ frieze and a fresco in the toilets add a cinematic feel inspired by Cédric Klapisch’s 1996 film, Un air de famille.

the bar fuses laminated travertine-effect surfaces in matte red with glossy black walnut-effect worktops

in Le Cornichon, Claves channels the spirit of French tradition and cinematic nostalgia

a glossy lacquered ceiling with wave patterns nods to 1950s Italian design

drawing inspiration from various architectural and aesthetic movements