Guinguettes, Bals and Parks in Eastern Paris (18th-19th C.)

This conference explores how Parisians of the 18th and 19th centuries sought leisure in the eastern suburbs, where guinguettes—open-air cabarets offering affordable food and drink—flourished at city barriers like Belleville. These establishments became hubs for dancing, with bals introducing fashionable dances after meals, and some, such as the Tambour royal and the Folies-Belleville, gained international fame.

Attendees will learn about the rise of these popular entertainments, from the first guinguettes at Vaugirard and Montmartre to the expansion along the Seine and Marne rivers thanks to railways. The talk also covers the brief appearance of roller coasters at the barrière de Couronnes during the Restoration, painting a vivid picture of a bygone era of Parisian fun.

Presented by historian Christiane Demeulenaere-Douyère, the event is part of the "Mardis de l'histoire de Paris" series, offering a deep dive into the city's entertainment history.