A Belle Époque Dining Experience at Restaurant Le Majorelle, Lourdes

Located just steps from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Restaurant Le Majorelle offers a distinctive dining experience inside one of the city’s most historic hotels. More than a restaurant, Le Majorelle is a journey into the Belle Époque—an era when art, architecture, and gastronomy came together to create an elegant and welcoming art of living.

Dining at Le Majorelle means enjoying refined cuisine in a historic setting that reflects the cultural heritage of Lourdes.

 

The Belle Époque and the Birth of the Grand Hôtel Moderne

At the end of the 19th century, Lourdes became one of the world’s major pilgrimage destinations. To welcome pilgrims, aristocrats, and travelers from around the globe, the Grand Hôtel Moderne was built in 1896 in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Sanctuary.

This period, known as the Belle Époque, was marked by optimism, artistic creativity, and technological progress. Hotels and restaurants were designed not only for comfort, but also to showcase architecture, craftsmanship, and modernity.

Le Majorelle was created as the hotel’s main dining room, where guests could enjoy quality cuisine in an impressive Art Nouveau setting, surrounded by decorative details and architectural character.

Fun fact: An original menu from 1922 shows that a meal at Restaurant Le Majorelle was once more expensive than a night’s stay at the Grand Hôtel Moderne, highlighting the importance of the dining room at the time.

 

Art Nouveau Design: A Dining Room as a Work of Art

The dining room of Le Majorelle is one of the rare preserved Art Nouveau interiors in Lourdes.
Art Nouveau, popular between 1890 and 1910, is known for:

• Floral and organic motifs inspired by nature
• Curved lines and flowing forms
• Decorative woodwork and stained glass
• A harmonious link between art and architecture

Inside Restaurant Le Majorelle, guests can admire original wood paneling, decorative details, and an authentic historic atmosphere. Dining here offers a glimpse into the elegance and style experienced by travelers more than a century ago.

 

Louis Majorelle: A Key Figure of Art Nouveau

The restaurant takes its name from Louis Majorelle (1859–1926), one of the most important figures of the Art Nouveau movement in France. A furniture designer, architect, and member of the École de Nancy, Majorelle helped define the artistic style of the Belle Époque.

He was known for combining artistic creativity with modern production techniques. His work often featured flowing lines, plant-inspired motifs, and detailed craftsmanship, reflecting the Art Nouveau idea of bringing nature and beauty into everyday spaces.

By designing the dining room of Le Majorelle, Louis Majorelle created a cohesive interior where architecture, furniture, and decoration form a unified and welcoming environment.

 

A Living Art Nouveau Heritage in Lourdes

Today, Restaurant Le Majorelle in Lourdes continues to preserve this historic décor while offering refined yet accessible dining for hotel guests, pilgrims, and visitors. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or simply enjoying a meal in a beautiful setting, Le Majorelle offers a unique way to experience the Belle Époque in the heart of Lourdes.

 

******

Le Majorelle, a restaurant in the heart of Lourdes