Hi all,

There is also La Goulue 17 Quai Gabriel Peri 01.48.83.21.77 Fax : 01 48 83 08 44
Very nice fin-de-siecle restaurant Dancing on weekends.

I think you should go, PalQ, I'm not sure about the red and white checked gingham requirement for ladies. That one on the island does sound like fun, maybe I will get around to this next trip.

To complete the info in the thread, this is the URL for the city of Joinville itself where there is lots of good info. I think it's only in French, but you can get some maps if you go into the "Decouvrir la Ville", then the Guinguettes section. In the tourism area, they let you email to ask for info, brochures, maps, etc.

http://www.ville-joinville-le-pont.fr/

A few more sites:

www.guinguette-auvergnate.fr
www.guinguette.fr
www.le-petit-robinson.com

Nice article in Paris Notes July/Aug 2004.

Just stumbled across a "Le Petit Robinson" leaflet in my files - gives address as 164, quai de Polangis, ph 01 48 89 04 39
Internet: www.le.petit.robinson.com
E-Mail: [email protected]
It describes itself as "La Plus Belle de Toutes Les Guingettes" (The most beautiful of all the guignettes)

2 'formules' are given to chose from:
Diner dansant au Petit Robinson - 'repas de fete autour d'une cuisine raffinee et soiree dansante impregnee du souvenir des canotiers"
and
Soiree dansante au Petit Robinson: dinez ou vous voulez, mais ensuite venez danser...La piste de danse vous attend et son bar vous accueille.

PALQ - superb work! Keep it coming.

Current info on the Guingettes from the Paris and Ile-de-France tourist offices:

"Dance the Night Away on les Guinguettes"

"Long before Parisians enjoyed their annual month-long August holiday, they invented other ways of beating the heat. Les Guinguettes, waterside terraces or barges anchored to the banks of the Seine or Marne, were popular places to go for a simple meal like moules frites (mussels with French fries) and a night of dancing under the stars. A century later, les Guinguettes still offer an unforgettable and very French night out.
The tourist offices info mention three Guinguettes:

Chez Gegene, 162 Quai Polangis, Joinville-le-Pont ph 01.48.83.29.43; www.chez-gegene.fr

La Guinguette du Martin Pecheur, Ile du Martin Pecheur, Champigny-sur-Marne; ph. 01.49.83.03.02 www.guinguette.fr

La Guinguette a Roland/Le Molin Vert, 103 Chemin de Contre-Halage, Champigny-sur-Marne; ph 01.47.06.00.91. Access by RER A to Champigny.

(Champigny is one further stop down RER A after the Joinville-le-Pont station.)

News From France, a free epistle from the French Embassy in the U.S. carries an update on Guinguettes in its recent issue (21.08.09)

Not online apparently to give a link so i will copy here:

"Originating in the 1700s, guinguettes have been a constant source of inspiration to artists. Pierre-Auguste REnoir's Bal du moulin de la galette and Van Gogh's La Guinguette are two artistic depictions of the socio-cultural role these establishments played over a century ago. Far from becoming obsolete, this milieu still has a powerful hold on the French imagination and cultural perception.
The revival of the open-air cafes known as guinguettes is bringing new life back to French riverbanks. These festive summer restaurants are the ideal place for a Sunday of relaxation where friends and family gather to enjoy good food, drink, dance and entertainment, all to the sounds of local music.
Guinguettes are reappearing from the shores of the Loire to the Seine. The popular Chez-Gogene at Joinville-le-Pont near Paris serves original fried foods and white wine whilst its terrace, overlooking the Marne River, entices the public into a langurous tango or a wild swing. Other hot spots include la Goulue, where food is a family affair, and la Guinguette de I'le du Martin Pecheur, which is an ideal for a picnic.
Along the Seine la Guinguette de Neuilly on the Ile de la Jatte creates the4 quintessential guinguette experience with red- and whie- checkered table cloths and lush green surroundings.
In Lyon, the Quai des guinguettes revitalizes bistros and Sunday lunches. With satisfied appetities, people can engage in all types of river-related activities, such as coanoeing, rowing races, water jousting, boat competitions and fishing.
And in Milwaukee the Aliance Francaise de Milwaukee hosts on Sep 13 it 11th annual Cercle d'Or Fundraiser featuring its own guingeutte experience from a local home titled Une Guinguette a Milwaukee."

Still looking for more first-hand reports on Guinguettes in Joinville-le-Pont or other places.