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When the’Hotel & Spa Napoléon reopened its doors after a three-year renovation project, I was curious to see what would become of the restaurant in this 17th century building, a former stagecoach stop where the young Bonaparte stopped on 30 October 1785 on his way to his garrison in Valence. When the hotel was reopened, the restaurant was called L'Empreinte, then it was renovated and now it is Le Cadran, in a nod to Grand Hôtel du Cadran Bleu who occupied the premises at the time.
For me, it has become one of the great surprises of the Rue Grande.
A bistro inspired by officers' messes
The concept behind Le Cadran is that of a Napoleonic bistro, This is a tribute to the officers' messes and other imperial canteens, places where people met and shared, where simplicity ended up becoming a certain luxury. You dine in a meticulously designed room: dark wood, clean lines, subdued lighting, without the slightest ostentatious temptation. The imperial thread is there, suggested rather than asserted, and that's precisely what works.
Fair, no-nonsense French cuisine
The menu revisits classic French brewery with carefully selected products and a cuisine designed to focus on the essentials. The house sums up its philosophy in just a few words: « every product has its rightful place. No superfluous items. Just the essentials. » It's this idea of precise gesture, masterful preparation, a taste that you recognise without having to decipher it, that makes the experience so comfortable, whether it's a business lunch or a family dinner after a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau, just a two-minute walk away.
A lifestyle address in the heart of Fontainebleau
With its 72 seats, Le Cadran is a true city-centre brasserie, able to welcome both regulars from Bellifont and visitors on a day out. The atmosphere, which is perfect for a tête-à-tête, is also lively enough for a meal with friends, and the service retains the discreet elegance characteristic of the establishment.
Opening times and access
The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday Lunch from 12pm to 2pm, dinner from 7pm to 9.30pm on Wednesdays and Sundays, and until 10.30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Entrance is via the hotel, at 11 rue Grande, or 9, via the hotel. For parking, the Interparking Napoléon is just 100 metres away, on Place Napoléon Bonaparte (€15 per day via the hotel).
And if you fancy a cocktail to extend the evening, the Bar des Secrets, In the same hotel, the red velvet boudoir remains open until midnight. It's the complete signature of a house that has rediscovered its vocation as a stopover, as in the days of the stagecoach.
