Now open for browsing, Christie’s two-part Le Gavroche sale is an unparalleled opportunity to acquire outstanding wines and extraordinary objects from one of London’s most-loved restaurants.
In January 2024, 57 years after the famous Roux brothers opened Le Gavroche, the two Michelin-starred restaurant closed its doors. Recognised as pioneering – when it opened, it was the first French restaurant of its kind in London and over the years, it was a catalyst in the careers of world-leading chefs including Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay – this sale is a chance to own a piece of the restaurant’s illustrious history.
Featuring pictures, drawings, prints, decorative objects and porcelain, along with sublime wines including an array of top Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Rhône wines, Le Gavroche Part I & Part II are now online.
Highlights include:
The iconic street urchin painting from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, hung prominently in the restaurant since its inception in 1967 (estimate: £10,000-15,000)
The guestbook, across two volumes, with over 500 signatures from acclaimed visitors over the years including Charlie Chaplin, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand and more (estimate: £3,000-5,000)
The illuminated Le Gavroche restaurant sign (estimate: £1,000-1,500)
Several porcelain objects including a Wedgewood and Halcyon Days porcelain part dinner-service, featuring the iconic Le Gavroche show plate (estimate: £800-1,200 for 8 part and £1,000-1,500 for 12 part)
A lifetime collection of cookery books, ranging from rare editions to modern signed texts from the Library of Albert Roux OBE, including books on regional French cooking, cheese, bread, wine and spirits and puddings and patisserie (estimates from £300-500)
A meticulously curated assortment of some of Burgundy’s greatest Domaine’s including Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2013 (estimate: £9,000-12,000 per bottle), rare Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé, Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2010 (estimate: £3,000-3,500 per 6 bottles) and the prestigious Corton Charlemagne, Domaine Bonneau du Martray 2017 (estimate: £1,500-1,800 per 3 magnums)
A collection of celebrated Bordeaux including the sought-after Le Pin 2008 (estimate: £9,000-12,000 per 6 bottles) and 1967 Château Latour, one of the finest Bordeaux wine producers from the same year that Le Gavroche was established (estimate: £2,000-3,000 per jeroboam)
There’s also a special opportunity to experience a private three-course meal for six guests at Christie’s King Street, cooked by Michel Roux, who will donate the entire proceeds, if sold, to industry charity Hospitality Action. Established in 1837, Hospitality Action offers assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK, from chefs to waiters, housekeepers, managers, kitchen porters, receptionists and sommeliers (estimate: £10,000-15,000).
Bidding is now open for Christie’s Le Gavroche Part I: The Restaurant and Le Gavroche Part II: The Wine Cellar sales. To find out more: christies.com
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Image: Courtesy of Christie’s