Au Lapin Agile ('at the Agile Rabbit') is the Conservatory of Living French Song (chanson), describing itself on its website as 'the mythic Lapin Agile, doyenne of the Montmartre Cabarets, reviving our heritage every evening'.
They also nuture and present new talent. There is no sound system, no lights -- just the raw performance. Audience participation is more or less encouraged, as is conversation, since you can hear each other speak.
Basic entry, which gives you the show and a drink, is €28. You can also eat there, but I don't think many people do. The space is distinctly intimate. I've never been inside but I've been to places with a similar ambiance, including our own Bar le Caravage in Loches.
Au Lapin Agile was opened, as an inn, under another name, in 1860, but its heyday was the early years of the 20th century, before the First World War. It became one of the bohemian hangouts and a real cultural institution. Its rather curious name comes from the iconic sign depicting a rabbit in a red scarf and brandishing a bottle of wine, leaping out of a saucepan. At the time the sign was painted by André Gill the place was called the Cabaret des Assassins, but from the moment the sign was erected everyone spoke of going 'au Lapin à Gill' ('to the Rabbit by Gill'), which ultimately became 'au Lapin Agile', which is pronounced the same.
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1 comment:
I thought the name came from Lapin à Giles, the first name of a hypothetical owner. Your explanation is the right one.
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