Claude Terrail, Dead at 88

We Will All Miss The Grand Restaurateur of La Tour d'Argent

Recently passed, iconic restaurateur Claude Terrail

The Parisian culinary landmark La Tour d’Argent has lost its renowned owner, the distinguished Claude Terrail. He died June 1, 2006, at the age of 88.

Claude Terrail was one of the most prominent, respected and well-dressed restaurateurs in the world. He inherited his reputation from his father André Terrail, an early pioneer of the ultra-classy, expensive French dining that has made La Tour d’Argent infamous since 1916.

Before taking over the family business, Claude entertained ideas of being an actor, and he served in the French 2nd Tank Division as a young man during World War II. But once he took the helm of La Tour d’Argent, managing the restaurant was in his blood. He maintained the restaurant’s high culinary standards for over five decades, and it is said he missed only five days of personally running the restaurant since the year 1947.

Claude helped distinguish La Tour d’Argent as a worldwide gastronomic icon. With his unparalleled professionalism, his gracious persona and his commitment to tradition, Claude became a symbol for high-class Parisian cuisine. He kept up the restaurant’s historic wine cellar—the second largest in the world—as well as the enduring practice of numbering every duck (a house specialty) that has ever been served to guests, now well above one million.

Terrail was said to have eaten lunch and dinner at the restaurant everyday—sporting stylish suits and a white carnation. In the family tradition, Claude gave over control of the restaurant to his son, André a few years ago. Terrail was born in 1917.

For more information, visit La Tour d'Argent, 15-17, quai de la Tournelle, 75005, Paris, France

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