Poulet rôti is Paris's Sunday-bistro standard: a salt-rubbed Bresse or Loué chicken roasted on a rotisserie or oven, served whole with fat-cooked potatoes and the pan juice.
Bresse chicken, the only French poultry with full AOC protection since 1957, anchored the Sunday-roast tradition that runs through Paris bistros from the 19th century. Marie Antoinette's chef, Pierre Beauvilliers, codified the rotisserie roast at his Palais-Royal restaurant in the 1790s. Bouillon Pigalle and La Rôtisserie d'Argent now anchor the dish at scale, with whole birds for two on the rotisserie. Modern Paris bakeries with rotisseries, including the Saturday Marché des Enfants Rouges, sell take-away versions for €15 a bird.
3 editor picks for Poulet rôti in Paris, ranked by editorial score. All Paris signature dishes · Poulet rôti across every city.
Robert et Louise ★ 4.3
3e · 64 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris
Robert et Louise in Paris's 3e has grilled côtes de bœuf over an open log fire in the dining room since 1958. Booking required for the fireside tables.
La Rôtisserie d'Argent ★ 4.2
5e · 19 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris
La Rôtisserie d'Argent in Paris is La Tour d'Argent's bistro annex on the Seine. The Bresse chicken comes off the rotisserie in the room, no a la carte.
Bouillon Pigalle ★ 4.1
18e · 22 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Bouillon Pigalle in Paris reopened the bouillon model in 2017 and now seats 300 with no reservation, no shortcut, a mains-under-€12 daily menu.