Bernard Arnault, the world’s third richest man, knows refined taste. He is, after all, the owner of the most valuable company in Europe, LVMH, which has over 70 brands ruling the world of luxury. A connoisseur of fine taste and tradition, the centibillionaire worth $194 billion has purchased a tiny yet historic gastronomic gem to add dollops of taste to the expanding LVMH hospitality portfolio. Parisian bistro Chez L’ami Louis, a century-old establishment founded in 1924, will now stand shoulder to shoulder (or spoon-to-spoon) with noteworthy designer fashion brands, high jewelry, and hotels.
Dubbed an authentic Parisian gem, the eatery at 32, rue du Vertbois, in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, was founded by chef Antoine Magnin. It hasn’t changed much over the years and remains unpretentious to this day. With only fourteen tables and a French setting, Chez L’ami Louis charmed Europe’s richest man Bernard Arnault, and celebrities like Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and more. LVMH’s acquisition of the restaurant is not a sign of change, but a commitment to preserving what has evidently worked for the 100-year-old restaurant, including its delicious lamb, garlicky snails, and foie gras.
“LVMH will work diligently to maintain the unique character and family identity of the restaurant and continue to support its French savoir-faire and expertise,” it said in a press release. It did not disclose the size of its stake nor the value of the deal, per CNBC. Arnault has dined at the Parisian restaurant, and the experience must have been truly superlative for the 75-year-old to purchase a stake in it. The last time Arnault’s meals in Paris made news was in 2023 when Elon Musk dined with him at Cheval Blanc, the luxury hotel chain owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
