Clown-Bar, French restaurant near Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
Clown-Bar is a restaurant in Paris's 11th arrondissement near Cirque d'hiver, notable for its historic ceramic wall panels. The surfaces display colorful painted clown and circus motifs from the 1920s, created by the Sarreguemines ceramics factory.
The establishment began in the early 1900s as a meeting place for circus performers and received protection as a historical monument in 1995. This designation preserved the original architectural and decorative elements from being altered or removed.
The name reflects its origins as a gathering place for circus performers, and diners today experience the space as a link between circus culture and fine cooking. The decoration around them tells the story of entertainment and spectacle that once defined the neighborhood.
The location is easily accessible by metro and sits in a busy neighborhood with many other dining options nearby. It is worth checking current opening times ahead of your visit and making a reservation, particularly if you plan to come on a weekend.
The name references its former use as a bar for nearby circus performers, a connection still visible in the decoration today. The painted tiles were created with significant craftsmanship by a renowned factory, making them notable examples of early twentieth-century decorative arts.
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