Place where conviviality and greed are mixed, the guinguettes symbolize the party, the sharing and the good mood. First a Parisian tradition, these types of cafés can now be found on the banks of the Loire. The ideal place to eat, drink and dance with friends or family.
The origin of the "guinguettes" is mainly linked to the development of worker leisure activities which, over time, have led to the emergence of "Sundays by the water": days when people gather to practice various activities related to river sports such as swimming, fishing or rowing.
In order to be able to stay all day by the water to enjoy the calm and nature, a few refreshment bars and restaurants appeared on the banks of the Seine in the mid-19th century.
Taking advantage of the simple pleasures of life, one eats simple and traditional food, drinks wine while dancing waltzes and polkas. Soon, fancy dress is de rigueur; the guinguettes require the boater to be worn and become a place where you absolutely must be seen.
At the beginning of the 20th century, weekly rest became widespread and the Parisian tradition was exported to the provinces and, in particular, to the banks of the Loire near the towns of Orleans, Tours, Nantes and Angers.
Every year, the arrival of fine weather coincides with the great return of the guinguettes (which take their name from "guinguet", an inexpensive white wine produced in Ile-de-France in the 19th century).
To the great pleasure of regulars and tourists alike, the banks of the Loire are once again in full swing in the summer and you can once again come and toast, eat, chat, sing and dance in the greatest joy in these places, always full of entertainment, where the Loire is the most loyal of guests.
To find out more, discover the top 10 of the guinguettes on the banks of the Loire
Bérengère for Comme des Français
To stay in the friendly and festive atmosphere :
Crédits photo : ©Destination Angers / ©Guinguette tours_Sylvain Gibey / ©Anjou tourisme_David Darrault / ©ADT Touraine_JC Coutand
