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Montparnasse in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
 

Le bal de la Grande Chaumière

Histoire de Paris

 
 
Le bal de la Grande Chaumière Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 13, 2024
1. Le bal de la Grande Chaumière Marker
Inscription.  

Le bal de la Grande Chaumière
Ouvert à la veille de la Révolution, ce bal-jardin connaît un succès jamais démenti. La petite cabane au toit de chaume, où des rafraîchissements sont servis aux danseurs, est vite remplacée par une maison à deux étages, associée à un restaurant, dont les clients bénéficient de l'entrée gratuite au bal. En 1814, l'établissement est presque exclusivement fréquenté par les militaires; les étudiants l'adoptent après la révolution de 1830. Jules Favre, Emile de Girardin, Barbès et même Thiers en sont les clients assidus. "La Grande Chaumière répond à tout. Il s'y trouve des avenues pleines d'ombrage, faites exprès pour la rêverie et pour l'expression des sentiments tendres. Il s'y trouve des bosquets de sycomores et de coudriers, si précieux pour le tête-à-tête. Enfin, l'amour moins mélancolique a la ressource d'y parcourir, dans des chars, les hauteurs des montagnes suisses ou de s'élancer dans de joyeux quadrilles". Le chahut et le cancan passent pour avoir été inventés ici, sous le regard vigilant du propriétaire des lieux, le père Lahire, ancien grenadier de la garde doté d'une force
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colossale et sourcilleux "tuteur de la morale publique". Supplanté par la Closerie des Lilas, le bal ferme ses portes en 1853.

English translation
The Ball of the Grande Chaumière
Opened on the eve of the Revolution, this garden ball was a undeniable success. The little thatched hut, where refreshments are served to the dancers, is quickly replaced by a two-storey house, associated with a restaurant, whose guests benefit from the free entrance to the ball. In 1814, the establishment was almost exclusively frequented by the military; Students adopted it after the Revolution of 1830. Jules Favre, Emile de Girardin, Barbès and even Thiers were the regular customers. "La Grande Chaumière responds to all. There are avenues full of shade, purposely made for reverie and the expression of tender feelings. There are groves of sycamore and hazel, precious for the tête-à-tête. Finally, loveless melancholy has the resource of travel, in chariots up the heights of Swiss mountains or to set off in joyful quadrilles". Heckling and gossip are said to have been invented here, under the watchful eye of the owner of the premises, the father Lahire, former grenadier of The Guard. He had a colossal strength and was a frowning "guardian of public morality". It was eventually supplanted by the Closerie of the Lilacs, and the Ball closed its doors in 1853.
 
Erected by
Le bal de la Grande Chaumière Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 13, 2024
2. Le bal de la Grande Chaumière Marker
The marker is roughly at center-left in this view, to the left of an optician.
Ville de Paris.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicParks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
 
Location. 48° 50.482′ N, 2° 19.859′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Montparnasse. It is on Boulevard du Montparnasse, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 Bis Bd du Montparnasse, Paris, Île-de-France 75014, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis Français (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Square Ozanam (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Lila Kedrova (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Romain Rolland (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Marechal Ney (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Robert Marchand (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Jardin des grands explorateurs (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Esplanade Gaston-Monnerville (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jun. 8, 2026