Le Papillon on the Park closes after 42 years in business

French-Canadian bistro Le Papillon on the Park is fermer la porte after 42 years in business. Located along Eastern Ave. between Leslieville and the Beaches, the restaurant was known for its Quebecois fare and rooftop patio and bar.

Le Papillon on the Park has been mired in years of legal battles going back to 2013 when three former employees accused owners Paul and Danielle Bigue of discrimination.

Three Muslim workers were awarded almost $100,000 after a human rights tribunal found they had been forced to eat pork, mocked for speaking Bengali, frequently referred to as sh-t and threatened with replacement by “white” staff.

The owners have claimed all allegations to be false, and lost an appeal in May 2015 at the Supreme Court level.

Le Papillon on the Park announced its closure on its website with the following note:

Dear friends and valued customers, it is with deep regret that we announce that our restaurant is closed due to circumstances beyond our control.

We are very saddened to close our restaurant after being in business for over 42 years. It allowed us to meet countless wonderful people, many of which have since become friends. We ate well.

Thank you for your patronage over the years and all the best in this new year. Merçi et à la prochaine.

Will you miss Le Papillon on the Park? Let us know in the comments below.