Our Story: French Artisan Cuisine in Luang Prabang
A house beside Nam Phou, a century of two worlds, and the six years since we opened its doors.
Begin the storySome treasures in life are discovered unexpectedly, and their rewards are deeply fulfilling. This house, our Gaspard, is one such treasure. Its story, and the journey that led us to it, mirrors our own as a couple, making its transformation all the more meaningful.
The same corner of the garden: brambles and broken brick, and what grew there instead.
A treasure unearthed
For years, we strolled past this striking house during our morning walks to Phousi Mountain. We often stopped to marvel at it, peeking over the fence at the fragrant jasmine, sprawling banana leaves and tangled brambles that framed the property, sparking our imaginations. What if we lived here? What could we create here? These questions lingered in our minds, and we began to dream.
One day, fate intervened. The house came up for sale, and we instinctively knew this was our opportunity.
Over tea with the grandson of the former owner, we learned the enchanting history of the home. Nearly a century ago, a young French doctor settled here with his Lao bride, their union a harmonious blend of two worlds.
Together, they built a life in this house, raising children and grandchildren who filled its halls with laughter, mischief and the simple joys of family. The home itself reflected their union, a seamless marriage of French art de vivre and the earthy warmth of Luang Prabang.
This serendipitous connection to the house’s past resonated with us deeply. Its history mirrored our own story, and we felt a responsibility to honour it while breathing new life into its walls.
The restoration, day by day: furniture built by hand, old recipes, and the textures we chose to keep.
Bringing the house back to life
As we explored the house, its potential began to unfold. The sturdy plastered brick walls evoked memories of rustic farmhouse kitchens in southern France, where hearty meals were lovingly prepared. The overgrown garden became Toune’s sanctuary, a place where she patiently nursed plants back to life, creating a verdant oasis. Evenings spent under the eaves of the teak roof, with Mekong breezes and the hum of scooters circling Nam Phou, fuelled our vision.
We imagined sharing this space with others, a haven for home-cooked meals, lush gardens and the pleasures of good living.
And so, our dream began to take shape. We enlisted craftsmen from Luang Prabang and our dear friend Pauline from Brittany to merge the old and the new. The kitchen became the heart of our project, where we crafted an authentic French artisan menu by hand. The garden transformed into a “secret garden”, perfect for intimate gatherings under a canopy of tropical flowers and starlit skies.
The downstairs salon, with its baroque details and absinthe fountain, became a nod to exotic travels and serendipitous encounters.
Meanwhile, the upstairs teakwood interiors, with their warm patina, soaring ceilings and botanical murals, reflected Luang Prabang’s natural beauty and serene spirit.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
A name for a treasure
We named our creation Gaspard, meaning treasure. It is a fitting name for this extraordinary place, a house with a storied past that inspired a harmonious blend of humble comforts and refined pleasures, of two distinct yet complementary cultures.
Gaspard is more than a restaurant. It is an homage to this house, its history, our partnership and the joy of uncovering life’s unexpected treasures.
Toune & Rodolphe
Three settings, one house
Gaspard unfolds across three settings, each with its own character, from open sky to teakwood patina.
The Terrace
Our terrace offers a serene dining experience amid a lush tropical garden. Surrounded by jasmine and banana leaves, it is the setting for fine French cuisine under the open sky: a leisurely lunch or a romantic dinner, carried on gentle Mekong breezes.
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Indochina Parlour
On the ground floor, the Indochina Parlour is a sanctuary of timeless elegance. At its heart is a stately bar where stories unfold over fine wines and crafted cocktails, while a mosaic of historical gravures lines the walls.
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Botanical Chamber
On the first floor, the Botanical Chamber is an intimate dining room beneath soaring ceilings and teakwood patina, adorned with hand-painted botanical murals, perfect for romantic dinners and special gatherings.
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Six years of artisan values
In 2020 we opened the doors of Gaspard Artisan Cuisine, transforming a historic Tai Lue-style teak house into a place that celebrates French artisan cuisine blended with the warmth of Lao culture.
Over six years we have welcomed thousands of guests from around the world. Each visit has added to the story of Gaspard, a tale of timeless flavours, cherished traditions and heartfelt hospitality. Thank you for making Gaspard a place where culinary artistry and togetherness thrive.
- Six
- years of Gaspard
- A century
- of history within these walls
- Thousands
- of guests welcomed
Our organic garden
Nestled along the banks of the Nam Khan River, our one-hectare organic garden is a labour of love and a cornerstone of the Gaspard experience. Started by Madame Toune, it is where we grow an abundance of vegetables, herbs and fruit.
Every morning our gardeners tend the soil, planting, harvesting and selecting the freshest produce to bring straight to your table. More than a source of ingredients, the garden is our commitment to sustainability, quality and honouring the land.
Sustainability
We are committed to the well-being of our environment and to the health of our team and guests. A few of the practices we hold to:
- No single-use plastic
- Organic and locally sourced produce
- Natural antibacterial cleaning products
- Water- and electricity-regulating technology
- Restorative, organic gardening
- Composting of organic waste
- On-site water treatment
These practices have earned us international and governmental health and safety certifications.
Come and see for yourself
Join us for lunch on the terrace or dinner beneath the botanical murals.
