Yet behind the facade, its profits plummeted as the rent demanded by its landlord, a Kuwaiti firm, rocketed. Last year, Casanova went into voluntary liquidation with debts of Ff 140 million, but still hopeful of finding a backer who would enable him to remain at the helm. This now looks unlikely. The Partouche group, which owns 11 casinos and 18 hotels in France, has emerged as favorite to take over the restaurant. Heineken is also in the running.
Analysts say a sale is imminent.
Whoever wins the battle for Fouquet's must inject large sums of money and a fresh gloss of luxury. To stay afloat, the restaurant will have to broaden its appeal from wealthy, influential Parisians to wealthy anybodies. Its faithful clientele accept that with Casanova will go its soul.