Lapin Agile Cabaret
Ce point d’intérêt est disponible en audio dans le circuit: Visit Paris, The Bohemian Quarter
You’re now looking at the Clos de Montmartre vineyards. Can you believe it? Vineyards right in the heart of Paris! And they’re not new! They’ve been around since the year 944! That’s how old they are, according to historical records. The vines you see today were planted in the 12th century by the nuns of the Montmartre Abbey. Their wine was once thought of as pretty average wine, but now it’s said to be quite good. Across the street, you’ll notice a building with an orange façade. It’s the Lapin Agile, a legendary cabaret! It was founded in the 1900s, at a time when Montmartre’s old houses were being demolished to make way for apartment blocks. The cabaret was bought and saved by the singer Aristide Bruant and entrusted to Father Frédé. In 1879, it got its iconic name and sign, painted by caricaturist André Gill. It shows a rabbit jumping into a saucepan – Le Lapin à Gill, which eventually became Le Lapin Agile, meaning The Agile Rabbit. Never before had so many different kinds of artists been under one roof. Writers, poets, musicians, and actors, many of whom were unknown at the time, would come here to share ideas and inspire each other. It was a real melting pot of creativity. Togetherness and conviviality – that’s what the Lapin Agile was all about! Among the many artists that made up this merry band of strangers were Picasso, Modigliani, Guillaume Apollinaire, Max Jacob, and Charles Dullin. And how could we forget Lolo the gray donkey, alias Boronali? Yes, you heard that right. The donkey was a painter in its spare time… Father Frédé tied a paintbrush to its tail and created a painting entitled “Coucher de Soleil sur l’Adriatique,” aka “Sunset over the Adriatic”, which was a big hit with art critics at the time! This breeding ground for talent is a shrine to French artistic heritage, so if you get the chance, come back for a drink and a trip down memory lane!
Découvrez d’autres circuits pour visiter Paris
Découvrez Paris avec l’application navaway®
An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts
18 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends
Comments