de_DELa Tour d’Argent, whose name translates to The Silver Tower, is a historic restaurant situated in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, France. Located specifically at 15 Quai de la Tournelle at the corner of the Rue du Cardinal-Lemoine, the establishment offers diners an excellent view of the river Seine and Notre Dame. Over the centuries, the location and its surroundings have evolved significantly, transitioning from a Quai that was once an often-flooded slope made inaccessible by mud to its present-day setting.
The restaurant claims a founding date of 1582 and states it was frequented by Henri IV, though documentation to support these claims does not exist. Historical records show different occupants at the site through the nineteenth century, including a metals dealer and a hair-dresser, alongside mentions in early guides describing an out-of-the-way hotel and restaurant. In the 1890s and 1900s, the restaurant was owned by Frédéric Delair, who established the enduring tradition of presenting a numbered certificate to each guest who orders the house specialty. The Terrail family subsequently purchased the restaurant in 1912, operating it across generations through André Terrail, his son Claude, and Claude's son André. A branch was later opened in Tokyo in 1984, and the premises underwent a renovation in 2023 designed by architect Franklin Azzi. Notable historical milestones include hosting a dinner for the Wright Brothers in 1906, and the establishment has also been referenced in notable literary works, including by Ernest Hemingway and Marcel Proust.
Duck remains the signature culinary specialty of the house, specifically pressed duck varieties such as Canard à la presse, Caneton à la presse, Caneton Tour d'Argent, and the recently renamed Caneton de Frédéric Delair. The establishment raises its own ducks on its private farm. Every diner who orders this signature dish receives a postcard featuring the bird's unique serial number, a tradition that has surpassed one million issued numbers. Historical recipients of these numbered birds include prominent figures such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Marlene Dietrich, and Charlie Chaplin.
Complementing the dining experience is an extensive wine cellar guarded around the clock, housing more than 450,000 bottles with a vast list offering some 15,000 wines to guests. The cellar's immense value has drawn notable attention, alongside the establishment's long-standing recognition as a recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 1986.