Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, Paris

For over one and a half centuries, Lapin Agile has been beaconing light on the northern slope of Montmartre. This somewhat strange looking, but lovely little house welcomes visitors with French songs, some of which date back to the 15th century, in a pub-like setting that exudes genuine French cabaret vibes. Unlike other cabarets, Lapin Agile does not feature topless dancers; instead, patrons are treated to songs, poetry, and humor (all in French). Its walls are adorned with souvenirs, paintings, poems, and testimonials, giving the place a cozy and welcoming feel.

The cabaret’s name comes from artist André Gill, who in 1875 painted a sign featuring a rabbit jumping out of a pan, upon which the locals promptly dubbed it Le Lapin à Gill (Gill's Rabbit). It became a favorite spot for artists and writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire, and Utrillo.

In 1905, Picasso paid for a meal here with one of his paintings, then quickly exited and painted another, which he named: "Au Lapin Agile". The painting sold for millions of pounds at an auction in the 1980s, bringing the cabaret even more fame. Today, it is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

A good variety of incredible singers and poets perform here live on a regular basis, sometimes taking as long as four hours per show, creating an incredibly warm atmosphere and making the time spent at Lapin Agile well worth remembering.

Tip:
This club is usually rather busy, so advance reservations are highly recommended.