Aux Pierrots, Paris 1948

‘Amid the whirlwind of your Paris pleasures, have an hour’s rest at Montmartre’s typical French Brewery Aux Pierrots with its reputed chef’s specialties on your plate and its famed cellar’s drinks and wines in your glass,’ says this charming menu from Paris in 1948.

In the 1940s, Pigalle was a red -light district in Paris known for its association with the sex trade – the Moulin Rouge was located at the foot of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement - but also for its burgeoning artistic and cultural scene.

The area was transforming, and as the city began to bustle again after the hardships of war, tourists were returning to the  City of Light and  clubs like Aux Pierrots offered hearty welcomes.

The title Aux Pierrots means To the Clowns.

A Pierrot is a character in French pantomime, known as the sad clown who is often heartbroken. He wears a loose, baggy costume with a frilled collar and a whitened face. Often, he is pining for the affections of the famous Columbine, another pantomime character.

On this menu cover, it seems the lovesick pair have found each other and are dancing under the stars of the night sky. This restaurant had an extensive menu and decent wine list and afterwards, in true Pigalle fashion, guests could watch a burlesque show.