Musée de la Grenouillère

This is a place rich with memories, safeguarding the heritage of the Grenouillère and the Ile de Croissy; the museum transports the visitor back in time to stand in the Impressionists’ footsteps.  

 

The authentic guinguette setting will help you see for yourself what drew the crowds here in the 19^th century.

Situated on the River Seine, La Grenouillère was a floating pontoon, famous for its “countryside” atmosphere, with boating, dancehall restaurants or guinguettes, lunch on the grass, games, and so on.  At the time, the establishment was frequented by the Paris smart set of the Visual and Written Arts.  It was Paris’ own “Trouville”, a slice of idyllic seaside life right on the doorstep.

To reach it, visitors had to cross a gangplank which led to a tiny island, the “Camembert”, connected by a second gangplank to the floating guinguette.  In 1869, Monet and Renoir made five paintings of the now internationally famous "Camembert".

 

The place was destroyed by fire in 1889.  The following year, a pavilion originally erected at the Universal Exhibition, was set up on the island, becoming the venue for parties, regattas and other water events until 1928.

 It reopened its doors in 1998, and the following year, the famous “Camembert” was rebuilt in its original location by local heritage association, Les Amis de la Grenouillère.

 

The museum evokes the glorious heyday of the Seine, celebrating the lively atmosphere of the guinguette, or dancehall restaurant.  Its iconographic heritage is also brought to life through the temporary exhibitions it hosts on local characters, and the habits and customs of the Grenouillère’s "Belle Epoque".