“A pink house in Paris?” Yes, it exists. Here at Place Rose Linda let me tell you about La Maison Rose. This is a pleasantly pink restaurant. It is lauded for its facade. It also has a fascinating history. La Maison Rose was once frequented by some of Paris’ greatest artists.
Let’s journey back to around 1850 when this house was built. Montmartre was a separate village then. Windmills stood tall. Homes and vineyards graced the picturesque hilltop.
Around the turn of the century, Germaine Pichot bought the house. She was the wife of Catalan painter Ramon Pichot. Germaine was also a former model for Picasso. She became a magnetic figure. She attracted the city’s creative crowd to La Maison Rose.
Germaine socialized with Maurice Utrillo. Albert Camus visited her. Matisse and Picasso enjoyed her company. Carlos Casegamas was a close friend of Picasso. He fell in love with Germaine. He relentlessly pursued her. Despite her refusals, Carlos persisted. Scorned by rejection he committed suicide. When Picasso heard of Carlos’ death he became depressed. It’s said he began his blue period of work.
Despite Carlos’ tragic death the story of Germaine and her beloved La Maison Rose continued. Germaine and Ramon visited Catalonia in Spain. They were inspired by the towns’ brightly colored homes. The house was eventually painted its signature pink.
In the 1930s Maurice Utrillo immortalized La Maison Rose. He painted “La maison rose à Montmartre”.
Germaine owned La Maison Rose until her death in 1948. The restaurant passed down through different Montmartre locals. They remained faithful to the establishment’s origins as a neighborhood cafe. Eventually, Laurence Miolano purchased it. She is the grandchild of its former owner Beatrice. She has since restored the restaurant to its former glory.
La Maison Rose has been around for over 100 years. The charming building was purchased by Ramon Pichot in 1905. He used it as a painting studio. Germaine Gargallo converted it into a restaurant.
For many years La Maison Rose was beige not pink. The building was a forgettable beige when it was purchased in 1905. It was even painted white in the 1970s. The restaurant got its iconic pink walls. Germaine Gargallo decided to repaint it. She was inspired by her trip to Barcelona Spain. She was captivated by the bright colors of the houses.
La Maison Rose may be a star for photographers now. But appreciation for its beauty goes way back. Painters immortalized the building with their artwork. Maurice Utrillo was the most famous. He was a French painter born in Montmartre. He specialized in cityscapes. Utrillo was a frequent patron of the restaurant. His painting called “The Little Pink House” sold in an auction for a very steep price. French Impressionist painter Élisée Maclet featured La Maison Rose in his paintings first.
La Maison Rose used to be a meeting place for creatives. Both Pichot and Germaine had many artist friends. Artists in the 19th and 20th centuries were a tight-knit community. La Maison Rose became a cozy hangout spot. Writers, artists, painters, actors and even singers gathered here. Picasso was a regular here.
Today La Maison Rose continues to enchant visitors. Its pink facade is world famous. So take a moment. Capture its beauty with your camera. Remember the artists who once gathered here. Feel the spirit of Montmartre.