Since Gallo-Roman times Montmartre was a small village covered with vineyards at the top of the hill until the 19th century, when it was absorbed by Paris, and became one of the strongholds for intellectuals and artists. Nearby is the famous Place du Tertre, the square surrounded by cafes where artists and intellectuals would meet. Just before World War I many artists such as Picasso, Modigliani, Utrillo and Apollinaire lived nearby, but it then became rather expensive and a move was made by many artists to Montparnasse.

Discover France through its wine and food. You will have a commentary in English as you appreciate 3 or 4 wines - depending on which package you select - from different regions which change depending on the time of year. With the wine you will be given tastes of food from the same region so you can understand how the wine and food blends together. You will not taste ordinary wines but natural hand-made wines made by from small independent producers that are very hard to find.

Tonight you are privileged to eat in La Pomponette. Even if time has slightly altered Montmartre's local scenery, the dining room remains faithful to its original style. Paintings on the walls are a reminder of the charming atmosphere of the old-time Montmartre. The tablecloths and other decorative pieces bear the signature of Poulbot, one of many other artists, all friends of Arthur Delacroix. All this helps give the place its early 20th century touch. In this refined and friendly setting you can just relax and spend a pleasant moment.

ON the way there you will pass Le Moulin de la Galette an old windmill made famous by the paintings of Renoir, Picasso, Utrillo and Toulouse Lautrec.

Menu

Choice of Starter
•Lapin en gelée aux feuille's d' estragon
• Chevre frais et fond d'art poele
• Os a moelle gratine
• Maquereau marine aux muscadet et aromates

Main Dish
• Duo de rognon et ris de veau flambes au cognac
Plats mijotes
Tete et langue de veau sauce ravigote
Pied de porc pane, grille

Dessert or Cheese Selection
• Pruneaux a la Vigneron
Millefeuille facon Pomponnette
Charlotte au fromage blanc et coulis de fruits rouges
Coupe Pomponnette

Coffee

Le Poulbot restaurant is close to the famous Place du Tertre, where artists and intellectuals would meet. This small cozy restaurant got its name from the former owner Monsieur Poulbot who was well known in the area for his humanitarian efforts for children. Serves a traditional menu with several choices for each course.

At the corner of the rue Saint Vincent and the rue des Saules, on the northern slope of the Butte Montmartre, stands the Lapin Agile, like a beacon light, where it has been for almost one and a half centuries. A strange little enchanted house where each of us can hear songs which move us."(said Pierre Mac orlan)

In 1875 the painter-caricaturist Andre Gill painted a sign of a rabbit jumping out of a saucepan : "Le Lapin a Gill" changed quite naturally into Lapin Agile.

History

Just before the turn of the century, Frede, that unforgettable figure in Montmartre, gave a definite artistic impetus to the cabaret.

For the first time, perhaps, the different arts were in harmony. Writers, poets, musicians, comedians, painters, sculptors, -- all unknown at the time -- were united, criticizing, poking fun, even influencing each other.

The historic richness of the Lapin Agile was born in the evenings, around the guitar and cello of Pere Frede, when everyone played, recited, sang their music and joined together singing popular songs. Their common denominator : humour in friendship. These "unknowns" were called Picasso, Utrillo, Derain

Many American and English people have also become fond of the atmosphere of the Lapin Agile. Charlie Chaplin spent several nights here, one evening playing his violin. Ernest Hemingway, Eleanor Roosevelt, Edward G. Robinson, Robert Mitchum, Dana Winters, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Lauren Bacall, and Henry Miller have all passed some time with us. Leontyne Price sang "Summertime" several times at the cabaret during the debut of Porgy and Bess in Paris. The great pianist Sviatoslav Richter was a regular at the Lapin Agile.