[1] It was widely regarded as the greatest restaurant in France while its owner Fernand Point (1897–1955) was alive.

Point was strict and unforgiving in the kitchen, but he was known to play pranks on his patrons and visitors (often with Paul Bocuse as his apprentice and wing-man).

Parisian high society visitors would find themselves ushered into the kitchen, pushed into a corner, and fed one of Point's dishes under the pretense of being asked to evaluate the readiness of the offering while Bocuse, hidden underneath a prep table, whitewashed the heels of their shoes.

Postmen and visiting locals fared not much better; in one famous stunt Point ordered Bocuse to paint the bicycle of a visiting gendarme pink while Point distracted his visitor.

After Point's death, his widow, Mado, carried on and maintained the restaurant's 3-star rating for many years.