Gérald Passedat is selling Le Petit Nice
After nearly forty years at the helm of Le Petit Nice in Marseille, Gérald Passedat is handing over the family-owned restaurant to the Saadé family, owners of the CMA CGM Group. The chef will, however, remain associated with the restaurant as a special advisor.
An important chapter in Marseille’s culinary history is about to come to a close. On the Corniche Kennedy, overlooking the Mediterranean, Le Petit Nice (5 toques) is set to change hands. Gérald Passedat, a leading figure in Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine, has decided to sell this institution to the Saadé family. This handover comes just a few months before a symbolic anniversary: in 2027, the restaurant will celebrate its 110th anniversary.
A handover that continues a family legacy
Founded in 1917 by his grandfather Germain and his wife Lucie, Le Petit Nice has been passed down through three generations of the Passedat family. Gérald’s father, Jean-Paul, had already helped transform the establishment, notably by turning it into a luxury hotel. Gérald Passedat joined the family kitchen in 1985, before taking over as head chef in 1987. His cuisine, deeply rooted in the Mediterranean terroir, places a central focus on fish and seafood. He has developed close relationships with local artisanal fishermen, prioritizing fishing practices that respect marine resources. Among the chef’s signature creations are the “Lucie Passedat” sea bass, a tribute to his grandmother, as well as his famous “Bouille-Abaisse,” a personal interpretation of bouillabaisse served in multiple courses.
This transition stems from Gérald Passedat’s desire to prepare the restaurant’s future. Now approaching 67, the chef told AFP that his son did not wish to take over the establishment. The Saadé family was the natural choice, as the two families have long-standing ties. Jacques Saadé, founder of CMA CGM, was notably a regular at the Marseille restaurant. The Saadé family had also already acquired a stake in the restaurant as a minority shareholder.
However, Gérald Passedat will not disappear entirely from the history of Le Petit Nice. He will remain involved in the project as a special advisor to the new owners, while also seeking to further develop his consulting business. The restaurant will retain its name but is set to undergo a major transformation: after serving its last customers at the end of January 2027, it will close its doors for a year of renovations.
