A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: La Mère Catherine, a Montmartre institution

Perched in the heart of Montmartre, on the famous Place du Tertre, La Mère Catherine proudly claims its status as one of the oldest restaurants in Paris still in operation. Founded in 1793, this address alone embodies the spirit of old Montmartre: conviviality, traditional French cuisine and an artistic ambience.

A story that began during the French Revolution

The story of La Mère Catherine begins during the French Revolution. In 1793, a certain Catherine Lemoine founded the establishment in a former royal hunting lodge. At the time, the Butte Montmartre was still just a working-class village on the outskirts of Paris. The address quickly became a haunt for resistance fighters, workers and artists, attracted by the warm welcome and simplicity of the food on offer. Legend has it that the word"bistro" was first uttered within its walls by Russian soldiers in a hurry to get a drink.

Traditional French cuisine down the centuries

La Mère Catherine has been serving French bourgeois cuisine for over two centuries. The menu features the great classics: eggs mayonnaise, Burgundy snails, duck confit, boeuf bourguignon, crème brûlée, not forgetting the famous coq au vin, emblematic of French peasant know-how. The restaurant offers continuous service from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., making it a friendly address for early risers, night owls and visitors to the Butte.

A setting steeped in Montmartre memory

With its red façade and terrace overlooking the Place du Tertre, La Mère Catherine is a true Montmartre cliché. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with banquettes, old posters, checked tablecloths and portraits of artists. It's here that you can feel thesoul of Montmartre, in an atmosphere where bohemian memories, old-time songs and comfort food meet.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Select, in the rhythm of the Roaring Twenties
• A brief history of the great restaurants of Paris: La Rotonde, the hustle and bustle of the Belle Epoque
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Pavillon Ledoyen, prestige of the Ancien Régime

A lively art scene

Every evening from 7.30pm, musicians take to the stage to offer diners a festive musical atmosphere. This link between dining and performance recalls thecabaret spirit of the neighborhood and the Montmartre tradition of blending culture, gastronomy and live entertainment. Even today, the address is prized by tourists for its typical setting and remarkable longevity, a testament to the Paris of yesteryear.