“As long as Gégène exists, the guinguette spirit will remain. “ AT Joinville-le-Pont (Val-de-Marne), the Chez Gégène tavern, open since 1918, is an institution for ball lovers. The little white wine, Blue java, The lover of Saint John… Every Sunday, there are dozens of them coming to dance the musette to the tunes of yesteryear. Already famous, the establishment became famous in 1952, thanks to a song by Bourvil. The actor tells the story of a Parisian plumber who came to relax on the banks of the Marne.
Today, another plumber is with Gégène: Patrick went up the river with his family. “I have the impression of rediscovering France, laughs Alexis, her 16-year-old son. I am like an American in Paris. “ If there is a crowd on the terrace, it is in the room, a stone’s throw from the track, that the regulars await the ball while having lunch. Mireille, 80, and François, 90, have their own table, as a sign in their honor reminds us.
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Plumber, Patrick went up the Seine then the Marne from Paris to come to lunch, as in the famous song of Bourvil. © Thibaut Chéreau, West-France
A former engineer, François has been dancing every Sunday at Gégène’s for sixty years, the passion of his life. “Before, there was a crowd in the taverns, remembers the man with the impeccable mustache. When everyone had a car, people went to have fun further. “
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On the walls of the room, a century of celebrity photos and press clippings tell the story of the establishment. © Thibaut Chéreau, West-France
This golden age when you could bathe in the Marne and cross the river in a raft, François does not regret it because Mireille continues to accompany him. “We come to see our friends, that’s how we wanted to spend our retirement”, assures the latter. For this first ball since the start of the pandemic, the couple can’t wait to start dancing again.
“Customers no longer dare to sing at the table”
At 1 p.m., it’s deliverance, Bourvil’s song sounds: “In Joinville we will go…”. It is taken up by the dancers, “Ron-ron!” ». On the terrace, another figure from Chez Gégène accompanies the meal with his accordion. “You must not believe, it’s physical, he still weighs 10 kg. “ Gavroche on the head, this woman who calls herself Gribouille is inexhaustible on the history of open-air cafés, whose name comes from Guinguet, the local white wine that was served there in the 19th century.e century.
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Gribouille and his accordion have been perpetuating the tradition of the tunes of yesteryear for over twenty years. © Thibaut Chéreau, West-France
“At the table, no one dares to sing to my music like twenty years ago”, she regrets. The musician has seen the taverns close one after the other or change their concept. Whatever, Gribouille perpetuates the tradition on principle but also for love of the place. A reality that does not seem to touch ball musette lovers, especially François, who is definitely not his age, by performing waltzes, and not only with Mireille.
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