Le Chat Noir

Dimanche 10 Fevrier Chat Noir - musee de Montmartre

Chat Noir posters at many Metro stations meowed to moi. I had to go. Especially after the Baltard Cat salon.

The stairs up to rue des Saules are not as bad as they look. There are far worse in Montmartre I promise you.

On the far left note the same chat noir poster attached to the musee de Montmartre. Now I know where to come for the grape harvest next Fall...

Many post-impressionists had their studios within this compound: Renoir, Utrillo, Suzanne Valadon etc.

Once inside this private museum the experience is quite intimate. Small room after small room holds 300 treasures of Montmartre's past in the Gay 90's. The exhibit has been extended until 3 June so do visit.

The inimitable Toulouse-Lautrec poster of performer Aristide Bruant may have started the red scarf trend - note the accompanying red cuffs.

Frivolity and frolicing were de rigeur in caberets such as Le Chat Noir.

'Le Chat Noir is thought to be the first modern cabaret: a nightclub where the patrons sat at tables and drank alcoholic beverages while being entertained by a variety show on stage, introduced by a master of ceremonies who interacted with people he knew at the tables'

'The bustling nightclub that was part artist salon, part rowdy music hall. The cabaret published its own humorous journal Le Chat Noir, which survived until 1895'

It does look rather a lot of fun non?

The museum's little gift shop is packed with affordable chatchkas

For a mere 6,50 euros, this dishtowel could be the best deal in Paris - Toulouse-Lautrec will remind you to kick up your heels everytime you dry a dish.

I planned to take a leisurely bus ride on the #80 home but boarded on the wrong side on rue Caulaincourt. A few minutes later everyone exited telling me we were at the terminus/end of the line.That's how I found this adorable merry-go-round. A wrong turn can pay off in Paris.
I love exploring these smaller museums of Paris.
Suggestions are most welcome of your favorite hidden treasures.