Au Lapin Agile – Montmarte
Tucked in a little corner in Montmarte, overlooking Paris is a a small building that has been home to many famous singers, writers and artists for over 150 years. Au Lapin Agile, or the Agile Rabbit offers an authentic French experience like none other. For 24 Euros, an evening of entertainment entirely in French is enjoyed by international and local visitors.
Visiting Au Lapin Agile takes one into a different time and place. A time when simple pleasures and the joy of each other’s company was all one needed. This is a truly French experience that many tourists miss.
Entrance to Au Lapin Agile
It is here where famous and infamous people spent hours and hours in the evening sharing stories, wit, and song. Names like Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Vivien Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ernest Hemmingway, Henry Miller, Lawrence Olivier, Lauren Bacall, Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman and Burt Reynolds. Even Charlie Chaplin was known to to play his violin here. (source: http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/cafe-lapin-agile-montmartre-lolo-infamous-art-hoax/)
Imagine sitting on benches that these impressive artists and writers alike sat. Enjoying each other’s company, all in the artistic spirit.
It is a small room with benches squared around and just one entry way that is guarded by the gate keeper. Once the cabaret begins, one is only allowed to enter or exit between acts. A small glass of red wine with a soaked cherry is served with the entrance fee, but serving guests is not their priority. Instead the show is continual with French folk songs, short stories and comedy. All in French remember?
If you don’t know the words, they encourage you to sing along “La-La-La” and fake it. The Smithsonian offers 24 French Folk songs that you can enjoy and download for your listening pleasure.
Come sing La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf (1946) with me in Au Lapin Agile.
Categories: Foot Prints, France, Paris, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Excellent! For some reason, I didn’t think this place still existed. Glad I was wrong.
I believe it will be one of those places that will always be there. Thank you so much for your lovely visit today and so many likes. I love your blog and look forward to sharing more with you in the future. Bella
Wow! That really looks amazing Emily! You have been to some remarkable places and I’m so happy to see your wonderful photos and read your interesting reports!
HEHE, Thanks Phil ! I’d be at many more places if I could get away with it. This is certainly off the beaten track and I loved hanging with the locals singing French folk songs. Your kind words mean so much to me. 🙂
Agree it’s such a wonderful place – great post… 🙂
Have you been Drake? When looking at reviews in TripAdvisor, a lot of Americans have a hard time understanding the nature of this venue. I thought it was fantastic!
Yeah been there twice, I think it’s a fantastic place too… 🙂
This is what traveling and exploring is about – thanks for sharing! Have a Great One:)
Exactly ! Trying to get off the beaten track right Renee?
Thanks for the tip!! I’ll check it out next time I’m in Paris! 😀
Definitely you should, it’s a must visit. We actually arrived late which was the best thing to do as we got front center seating. The early birds were stuck back in the corners with no way out. You can reserve online with them.
i’ve bookmarked your post, definitely going next time i’m in paris! 🙂 thanks again
Emily, I love this!! So much fun. This is what life is about 🙂
It is so true Judy. I really enjoyed revisiting Au Lapin Agile with this post, and when I played the video I got chills as it was such a wonderful moment in life.
I love that song, “La Vie en Rose.” What a superb place to eat and be entertained. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia – although they do not serve food, but entertainment is abound.
That place looks amazing, and it looks like it would be a lot of fun.
It really is Leanne. A true cultural experience.