Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Café-Bar Le Pigalle was inaugurated in 1954 on Place Pigalle in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. Designed by Maurice Gridaine, his iconic 1950s décor incorporated innovative materials for the period: metal tubes, sheet metal, plastic and laminated panels. The surrealist-inspired murals were signed by artist R. Lecoq, adding a distinctive artistic touch to the establishment. This coffee-brewery embodied the modern and avant-garde post-war spirit, mixing functionality and bold aesthetics.

In 1984, a major redevelopment transformed the space, notably eliminating the tobacco flow at the corner of rue André-Antoine. These changes partially altered the original layout, although the interior decor was protected by an inscription to the Historic Monuments in the same year, recognizing its heritage value. The Decree of 23 May 1984 specifically concerned the preservation of the characteristic interior elements of the 1950s.

In 1994, a change of owner marked a definitive break with the history of the place: renamed Café Chào-Bà, the establishment adopted a North Vietnamese theme, with bamboo decorations and fans, thus erasing any trace of the original style. This transformation sealed the physical disappearance of the Café-Bar Le Pigalle as imagined by Gridaine, leaving only its documentary and photographic legacy.

External links