In a captivating auction event, rare wines, vintage champagne, and art from the renowned Le Gavroche, the recently closed two Michelin-starred London restaurant by Michel Roux Jr, are set

to go under the hammer.

Founded in 1967 by brothers Michel and Albert Roux, Le Gavroche made history in 1974 as the first UK restaurant to earn a Michelin star. After more than half a century of culinary excellence, the Mayfair establishment closed its doors in January, as Michel Roux Jr expressed his desire to spend more time with family and focus on other business ventures.

The auction, encompassing rare wines, vintage champagne, porcelain, silver, and decorative objects from the iconic restaurant, will offer enthusiasts and collectors a chance to acquire pieces of Le Gavroche's rich history.

Among the highlights are bottles of the coveted 2013 vintage Domaine de la Romanee-Conti grand cru, a sought-after Burgundy wine. These exceptional bottles are anticipated to fetch between £9,000 and £12,000 at the auction in April, as estimated by the prestigious auction house Christie's.

A painting depicting a fictional street urchin from Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Miserables, after which the restaurant is named, is also up for bidding, with an estimated value of £10,000 to £15,000. Additionally, the illuminated sign that once adorned the restaurant door will commence bidding at £1,000.

Michel Roux Jr expressed that the restaurant's wine cellar had been "lovingly curated for decades," and the artwork held significance for the Roux family, familiar to all who dined at the establishment over the years.

Le Gavroche has been a training ground for many renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, and Monica Galetti, adding an extra layer of allure to the auction. As these treasures find new homes, they carry with them the legacy of Le Gavroche's culinary excellence and cultural significance. Photo by Alex.muller, Wikimedia commons.