In what year was the first Michelin Guide published in France? The answer is 1900.
The tire company Michelin published the first Guide Michelin in 1900, during the Paris Exposition. It was created by brothers André and Édouard Michelin to help the small but growing number of French motorists find practical services while traveling.
The first edition was not primarily a restaurant-rating book. It included maps, directions, tire-repair information, mechanics, hotels, and petrol stations. Michelin distributed it free, hoping that easier motoring would encourage people to drive farther and wear out tires sooner, increasing demand for replacements.
The guide later became famous for anonymous restaurant inspections and its star system. Restaurants began receiving stars in 1926; the familiar zero-, one-, two-, and three-star hierarchy was introduced in 1931. The three-star meanings were formalized in 1936, with the highest award indicating cuisine worth a special journey.
A common mistake is to confuse the guide’s founding year with the later introduction of Michelin stars. The guide dates to 1900, but its restaurant-star tradition developed decades afterward.