Born on April 15, 1851 in Nevers, Annette Boutiaut arrived at the Mont Saint Michel as a chambermaid for the service of Sir Edouard Corroyer, architect at the head of the historic buildings department. It is during one of these trips that she became acquainted with a boy of the area, Victor Poulard, the older son of the baker.

In January 14, 1873, at Saint Philippe de Roule (Near Paris), was celebrated the marriage of Victor Poulard and Annette Boutiaut. Sir Corroyer was the witness for the bride. The young couple then took the lease of the little 'tavern/Inn' called 'Saint Michel Tête d'Or', located at the site of the current post office (you can still see the fireplace of the Mere Poulard there). The inn began rather modestly, but soon the movement of the pilgrimages took a great extension. Besides, the tourists started to come to The Mont St Michel to visit and/or stay.

Annette Boutiaut was an intelligent and perspicacious woman . When she first saw the public cars arrived to the Mont St Michel, she started to organize new ways to attract people in her 'auberge' (Inn). She had some great unique abboyeurs ('barkers') in the street who leaded people towards the Inn. The visitor, famished, let himself lead submissively to the inn.

La Mere Poulard always greeted her customers with a gracious smile. As a hostess, she had understood that only a good instant omelet could satisfy quickly her customers in a hurry and with 100% satisfaction. In a turn of hand of a supreme elegance, she had made a delicate original omelet with a unique taste that became famous. But cleaver as she was, she always kept the recipes secret.

Soon, around the omelet of la Mere Poulard, a cycle of legends started to take form. All the chefs of the world claimed to reveal the secrecy of it and the magic recipe but none had found the trick that made the Omelet so light and so delicious. The tradition was then established.

Today, not a visitor will dare to avoid the ritual of tasting the Omelet of the Mere Poulard because if you do so, You will never understand completely why the Mont St Michel is so special.

In 1888, Annette Poulard made built The Hotel Poulard to comply with the augmentation of the clientele in the Mont St Michel and the necessity of more rooms for her guest and more space for her dining activity.

The choice of good local products associated to a great simple service with a tasty cuisine and authentic dishes built the renown of La Mere Poulard.

As of today, the principles of la Mere Poulard are applied and you will enjoy the pleasure of a delicate fine dining experience at the Restaurant La Mere Poulard and a fantastic stay in her hotels (Mere Poulard Hotel and Terrasses Poulard Hotel)