La Cigale

La Cigale, an art nouveau brasserie in Nantes

The Nantes audio-guided tour has you discover, on Place Graslin, one of the most beautiful brasseries in France: La Cigale. Impossible to miss, so much does its exuberant and refined art nouveau decoration testify to an age of excess and freedom.

A decor by Émile Libaudière

La Cigale is the work of the ceramic artist Émile Libaudière. Paintings on wood, luxuriant ornaments, magnificent blue ceramics: the Nantes bourgeoisie quickly took over the place, followed by the surrealists, who made it their headquarters, like André Breton or Jacques Prévert. Filmmakers were not to be outdone, such as Jacques Demy, who shot scenes of Lola there, the first part of his famous trilogy. Listed as a historic monument, the brasserie respects the codes of the great French houses of the nineteenth century.

What there is to see

Inside as on its façade, La Cigale displays its gilding, its mirrors, its frescoes and its ceramics, in the atmosphere of a great period brasserie. The waiters in uniform, the chocolate and pastries or the oysters and seafood perpetuate a more than century-old tradition. Facing the Graslin theatre, it is one of the most emblematic addresses of Nantes.

Practical information

La Cigale is on Place Graslin, facing the theatre, in the heart of Nantes. A brasserie listed as a historic monument, it welcomes the public according to its own service hours; the façade can be contemplated freely from the square. It is advisable to enquire in advance for a meal.

Why is La Cigale famous?

For its exceptional art nouveau decor by Émile Libaudière, listed as a historic monument, and for the artists it has welcomed, from the surrealists to Jacques Demy.

Where is La Cigale?

It is on Place Graslin, just opposite the Graslin theatre, in the heart of the chic district of Nantes.