- Interior
In the heart of Reims, at 18 rue du Temple, you'll find the latest gem from the popular burger chain PNY and this one is no ordinary branch. Nestled within the impressive Halle du Boulingrin, a historic market hall from 1929 and listed as a historic monument, this restaurant offers a unique experience that will delight both architecture enthusiasts and foodies alike.
As soon as you step inside, you're immersed in an atmosphere reminiscent of modernist California in the 1920s. Think of the elegance of Schindler and Eames: soaring walls clad in alternating dark and light wood, meticulously finished with cream-coloured silicone. The result is warm, stylish, and subtly luxurious. The space is bathed in natural light thanks to its south-facing glass façade, which floods the interior with sunshine throughout the day. 
Overhead, golden-yellow fabric panels ripple like the perfect Pacific swell which represents a visual echo of a sun that never sets. The banquette dividers are a modern reimagining of the classic Parisian brasserie layout, but with a twist: lacquered in bright lagoon blue, topped with a polished aluminium lamp, and perforated in such a way that they twinkle like stars once night falls. Another striking detail is the use of angled mirrors which is a subtle nod to Frank Lloyd Wright, who once invented the corner window, literally eliminating the traditional angle in several Californian homes. At PNY Reims, mirrors play with perspective and light in much the same ingenious way.
A little California under the French sun
The ‘Wavy’ chair, designed especially for the restaurant, is as playful as it is refined. Inspired by the sun-bleached curls of surfers from Mavericks, California, the chair comes in a soft pastel yellow, supported by a tubular, Bauhaus-style frame that flexes ever so slightly under pressure. It’s where comfort meets aesthetics in a beautifully flowing form.
The creative force behind this visual delight is Studio Nightflight, the design studio founded by Rudy Guénaire. The Paris-based designer is renowned for his ability to construct immersive, coherent worlds. With PNY Reims, he once again demonstrates his flair for blending past and future into a space where every element feels considered, from the lighting plan to the very last screw in the chair. Guénaire’s style is distinctive, yet consistently surprising, and this project is a shining example of his design ethos. 
The restaurant is open seven days a week and offers seating for 60 guests indoors, with an additional 100 seats available on the spacious terrace. Whether you're drawn in by the legendary burgers or the unforgettable atmosphere, here you’ll find a touch of California right in the middle of Reims.
Photography by Ludovic Balay, design by Rudy Guénaire
Text by Ine Simons