The Guinguette
Dance and mechanical music in the Roaming Twenties
Welcome to the warm and festive world of the Guinguette,an immersive space that transports you to the popular atmosphere of the 1920s to 1940s,when mechanical music filled dance floors with life.
An emblematic place of French leisure culture
Les Guinguettes,typical venues found along the banks of the Seine and in lively villages, were at the heart of popular entertainment and celebration. People gathered there to dance, listen to music, and enjoy the carefreeness of a rapidly changing era.
Dance organs, the stars of the party
In this vibrant atmosphere, mechanical dance organs organs enjoyed tremendous success. Designed to play automatically lively tunes, they were decorated with Art Deco style or with fairground-inspired ornamentation to attract a public eager of novelty.
Among the most famous, were the Jazzbandophone from the Maison Limonaire created especially to animate ball room, and Guinguettes. These instruments featured:
- Rhythmic accessories (percussion, cymbals, tambourine, etc.)
- An expanded repertoire including the most fashionable dances: waltz,, tango,, java,, fox-trotand more
A unique model entered the museum's collection in 2024: a 52-key Jazzbandophone built in 1924, of which only two examples were ever made!