Luxury 4-star hotel and fine dining restaurant in Isère
La Pyramide boasts a long tradition of hospitality and fine dining.
Once the establishment of renowned French chef, Fernand Point, this restaurant - among the first to have been awarded three Michelin stars - is also an intimate inn that combines the art of living, the pleasure of making you feel as if in your own home, and the daring to endlessly innovate.
To the south of Lyon, Chef Henriroux , his family and team are committed to perpetuating the spirit of traditional innkeeping and hospitality that is so dear to them, while always keeping up with the times. The result is an establishment boasting contemporary creations and convivial spaces that blend seamlessly into this elegant bastide, currently celebrating its 200th anniversary.
A stopover on route to the Mediterranean between Paris and the Côte d'Azur, a destination to discover and a haven to return to. The harmony and coherence of the spaces combined with their history make this a place of calm and tranquillity to be soaked up over the course of a truly unique stay.
The story of a legendary establishment in Vienne
Along the Nationale 7, on the road to the French Riviera, La Pyramide is an emblematic establishment that has left its mark on the history of French gastronomy.
Since 1822, only four families have succeeded each other at the head of this renowned establishment. Owned by the Chambertain family until 1870, then by the Gieu family, it was bought by Auguste Point, a restaurateur in Louhans in 1922, who subsequently planned to pass it on to his son Fernand.
The young man, then training in Evian under Paul Bocuse's father, took over the establishment in 1925 on the passing of Auguste, and renamed it La Pyramide, after the Roman obelisk that adorns the Place de Vienne just a few steps away.
Fernand Point brought a new lease of life to the establishment, by enlarging it, but above all by offering a fresh and contemporary style of cuisine.
With his strong character, imposing stature and audacity in the kitchen, in 1933 he became the first chef to be awarded 3 Michelin stars.
In this restaurant south of Lyon, he rubbed shoulders with the elite of French gastronomy and counted Paul Bocuse, the Troisgros brothers and Alain Chapel among his prestigious pupils.
La Pyramide became a veritable institution, nicknamed ‘the cauldron of French cuisine’.
Today, the restaurant is the only one in history to have retained 3 stars in the Michelin Guide for 53 years. After the death of Chef Point in 1955, the restaurant was taken over by his wife until 1986, and then by his daughter, who sold it to a property group in 1987. After extensive renovation work, including the addition of a hotel, La Pyramide reopened its doors on 18 June 1989.
Continuing to write the glorious history of this unique establishment
Since 1989, Pascale and Patrick Henriroux
Taking up the challenge he had set himself to build a home for his family, breathe new life into this French gastronomic institution and play a part in shaping the glorious history of this unique establishment, in 1989, Patrick Henriroux , then a Michelin-starred chef at La Ferme de Mougins near Cannes, accompanied by Pascale, his wife and trusted companion, laid down his chef's toque in Vienne in these kitchens steeped in history, with all the carefree spirit, passion and benevolence that characterise this warm-hearted couple.
Passing the baton from one family to the next, they took over the running of the establishment at the ages of 31 and 28. Now it is their turn to keep La Pyramide alive and flourishing, in the image of the eponymous Roman monument that has stood for two millennia just a stone's throw from their door...
"At the time, we first wanted to fit into the shoes of our illustrious predecessors, before being able to fashion our own," confides the chef, with a good dose of humility. But the first Michelin star was not long in coming. Just seven months after their arrival, in 1990, it was awarded in recognition of Patrick Henriroux's cuisine and the sincere and welcoming atmosphere that reigns supreme in this delightful inn south of Lyon.
Then, in 1992, La Pyramide was awarded its second star in the Michelin Guide, which it holds to this day.
In 1996, the Henriroux couple set up home at La Pyramide, buying the business before taking over ownership of the hotel and restaurant in 1998.
Since then, this elegant edifice in Vienne along the Nationale 7 has continued to write its history, always supremely attentive to its guests and their needs and desires. Deeply attached to its prestige of yesteryear and its spirit of an inviting inn, La Pyramide nevertheless moves with the times, firmly anchored in the present day. And very often, a step or two ahead...
Joined by their children and surrounded by loyal colleagues, some of whom have been with the business since the very beginning, from day one Pascale and Patrick Henriroux have focused on human values: men and women who share the same philosophy of caring, passion, goodwill, the joy of coming together and the pleasure of sharing.
A family establishment
“Family is crucial: it is the reason we do what we do; it is the glue that binds us together,” confides Chef Henriroux.
And this is undoubtedly what gives this contemporary inn its authentic convivial feel.
The family
These days, Pascale is in charge of the establishment's management, accounting, IT, legal and financial operations.
Leslie Henriroux is in charge of accommodation and her brother Boris is assistant director, managing marketing, social media and recruitment.
The generations of this family clearly complement one another, striking the perfect balance between respect, transmission and hard work, paired with creativity, energy and dynamism.
An organisation founded on the sincerity and trust of strong family ties, which perpetuate the unique atmosphere of this 4-star hotel and fine dining restaurant in Isère, where everyone feels wonderfully at home...
The Team
Working at La Pyramide means being part of a big family.
Here, kindness and respect are the watchwords that govern relations between employees. A single, steadfast and loyal team, like the crew aboard a fine vessel. Here, everyone has an important and designated role, which they perform with a spirit of dedication and passion.
The Team
The real commitment of the teams and the trust that exists between them have enabled us to put in place an interdisciplinary organisation: “It is our aim to share skills, expectations and responsibilities between all the members of our team,” explains Patrick Henriroux.
The Team
Decisions, strategies and proposals are studied and approved in a collegial fashion, contributing to the unity of the team at La Pyramide and a genuine sense of commitment.
Transmission, loyalty, people
It is not unusual at La Pyramide for former employees to return.
Today, seven of the team are former employees who, having discovered other worlds, have naturally found their way back to ‘La Maison’.
This returning to their roots bears witness to the friendly working environment and human values of this legendary establishment, which has been awarded two Michelin stars since 1992. They are like a large family that loves to get together, as demonstrated by David (Castagnet), Anthony (Fresnay) and Michaël (Bouvier), who first worked together in 2010 and have been working together again since 2020.
These friends in life and colleagues at La Pyramide have reunited in the dining room, kitchen and patisserie, enabling the dynamic to work to perfection. And it is from this glowing network of alumni that the establishment draws, always managing to find that rare gem when a vacancy arises...
The consistency in our teams makes La Pyramide a reassuring place for visitors and regular customers alike. Here guests can enjoy a personalised welcome, the continued promise of great cuisine and a friendly atmosphere every time they visit.
As for those who leave, it is often to pursue great adventures, to become their own boss, and in turn, open fine establishments. “That is my greatest reward!
They're the children of the house!”
Just as Mr and Mrs POINT used to call their former apprentices who went on to become great chefs, ‘our little points’, we too have our ‘little pyramids,’ laughs Chef Henriroux.
Régis Dho, a lifelong friend
Régis Dho has been involved in every stage of the renovation and transformation of La Pyramide, bringing to bear his keen eye and ability to always be one step ahead. As a creator of spaces and ambience, a graduate of France's prestigious Beaux-Arts school of art, Régis Dho has always been a friend and close associate of the Henriroux family.
The uniquely timeless, elegant and innovative feel of the fine dining restaurant , the hushed, harmonious, plant-filled ambience of Ph③ , the contemporary and cosy rooms and the Blue Pearl , a new and beautiful lounge bar, rich in atmosphere. Each space he designs is in keeping with the history of this iconic establishment: bold and dynamic, proud of its past yet with an eye to the future, and of course, all inspired by the generosity, authenticity and benevolence that reigns supreme within the Henriroux family and its team.
