La Mère Catherine

La Mère Catherine is a brasserie in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the oldest restaurant located at place du Tertre.[1] It is situated in a building that previously served as the church presbytery of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre.[2]

History

Founded in 1793, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.[3] A plaque at its entrance gives a folk etymology of the word "bistro": that on March 30, 1814, while a group of Russian soldiers were dining at Mère Catherine, they asked for drinks, bystro (Cyrillic: быстро; Russian: "quickly"). Thereafter, "bistro" became a description of a restaurant where you could get food or drink quickly.[4][5] In the early twentieth century, the bistro was managed by Mr. Lemoine and owned by Père Labille.[6] During the French Revolution, Georges Danton met his disciples at Mère Catherine.[2] During the Nazi occupation of Paris, 1941-1944, Ernst Jünger was a patron.[7] At one time, guests could enjoy a game of billiards at Mère Catherine; an old postcard depicts billiards players posing in front of the bar. Today, the restaurant is frequented mostly by tourists.

Architecture and fittings

The interior is characterized by dark wood walls, terra cotta tiles, and exposed wooden ceiling beams. It is furnished with large crocks, framed oil paintings of Montmartre landmarks, wooden chairs, and red-and-white checked linens.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Williams, Ellen (1 January 2001). The Historic Restaurants of Paris: A Guide to Century-Old Cafes, Bistros and Gourmet Food Shops. New York Review of Books. pp. 245–. ISBN 978-1-892145-03-1. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 Auzias, Dominique; Labourdette, Jean-Paul (27 June 2012). Best of Paris. Petit Futé. pp. 129–. ISBN 978-2-7469-5657-5. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Paris 2010 Petit Fute + Plan Detachable. Petit Futé. 7 October 2009. p. 110. ISBN 978-2-7469-2442-0. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Frommer's (22 May 2012). AARP Paris 2012. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 420–. ISBN 978-1-118-26621-2. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Neskow, Vesna (1 January 2012). The Little Black Book of Paris: The Essential Guide to the City of Light. Peter Pauper Press, Inc. pp. 171–. ISBN 978-1-4413-0651-7. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  6. ↑ Cazes, Marcelin (1966). 50 ans de Lipp. la Jeune Parque. p. 184. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Allan (1 May 2011). The Devil's Captain: Ernst Jünger in Nazi Paris, 1941-1944. Berghahn Books. pp. 118–. ISBN 978-0-85745-114-9. Retrieved 29 August 2012.

48°53′12″N 2°20′27″E / 48.8867°N 2.3408°E / 48.8867; 2.3408

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