An estaminet is—in Picardy, French Flanders, Luxembourg, and Brusselssosoir.lesoir.be "Trois estaminets qui ont su garder leur âme d'époque à Bruxelles"—an establishment that serves various types of drinks, sells tobacco, and offers traditional games. The estaminets are part of the cultural heritage of these regions. In Brussels, a three-hundred-year-old estaminet is still open.The oldest estaminet in Brussels, still active since more 300 years, Antoine Lebrun 19 December 2024 www.lebonbon.be (in French)

The word estaminets has also been in use in Paris in the 19th century, as Jules Lovy wrote about them on 18 April 1858 in Le Tintamarre.Les cafés de Paris, Le Tintamarre, 18 April 1858, , 2nd column. See the original of the article on Commons.

In modern usage, estaminet refers to taverns, bistrots, inns, and brasseries typical of Nord Département in France that make use of ancient tools and typical rural, or traditional, decorations, and serve dishes and drinks from the region.

Etymology In 1802, the Académie française defined the estaminet in a very short description: "Assemblée de buveurs et de fumeurs" (An assembly of drinkers and smokers).

The word has a Picard origin and comes from "estamet", which refers to the pillar supporting the roof of a room, and, by extension, the room itself.Jean Dauby, , no 9, 1987, pp. 1-9.

The estaminets in the 19th century

At the beginning of the 19th century, in the more elegant cafés, tobacco was forbidden, but smoking was permitted in the estaminets. The word "estaminet" was in common use before World War I and referred to an establishment where one could have a drink and smoke. There could be, at the same place, a grocery or a farrier facility,Les estaminets Leers website] like today's multi-service cafés.

A place to socialize for workers, the estaminet was also the meeting point for local societies, like pigeon-keeping club members or feather-bowling players.

Some singing societies also included in their name the one of the estaminet where they are gathering. For instance, in Flers, there is a society called Les Amis-Réunis de l'estaminet du Pont du Breucq (the friends of Pont du Breucq estaminet). In Lambersart, there is a Société des Rigolos Réunie à l'Estaminet de la Carnoy à LambersartA song by Société des Rigolos Réunie à l'Estaminet de la Carnoy à Lambersart (in French) (Society of amusing people gathered at la Carnoy estaminet in Lambersat). In Lille, there are several societies called Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Grand Quinquin, Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Réveil-Matin, Les Bons Buveurs de l'Estaminet de l'Alliance. In Roubaix, there are Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Bas Rouge à Pile,La Pile is a neighborough in Roubaix. Les Amis-Réunis Estaminet Bauwens, Les Amis Réunis à l'Estaminet du Poète de Roubaix,, a song by the Les Amis Réunis à l'Estaminet du Poète de Roubaix goguette. Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet tenu par Augustin Roger. held from the 8 June to 1 July 2010 in Roubaix Media library. In Tourcoing, there is the Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing.A song by la Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing and Another song, by la Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing

In Lille, on the eve of the First World War, the people were more likely to enjoy their hard lives in the estaminets, where they could relax, meet up with friends, sing patois refrains, and play a variety of games. These games included jeu du beigneau (throwing shuffles into a hole), jeu du bouchon (knocking down corks 9 meters apart), skittles, darts, and strength competitions.

Estaminets during World War I

Egg and chips became popular in Britain during World War I due to a shortage of meat. It was a favourite food of Tommies behind the lines on the Western Front in northern France and Belgium, eaten at estaminets, which also sold cheap wine and beer.

The estaminets revival

Nowadays, the name "estaminet" is given to different taverns, bistrots, or inns that make use of ancient tools as ornaments and typical, rustic, and traditional decorations. Hop is hanging from the ceiling, and old pictures are on the walls. Old bottles and "Vierpots" (ember pots) to light one's pipe are gathered on the fireplace. The menu shows dishes with Flemish names like "Waterzoï" or "Potjevleesch".Aude Pidoux, Les estaminets, 17 August 2007. Above the entry door, a placard is placed, with a depiction of the scrutiny of God, and is a warning to the customers against cursing (in Flemish: Hier vloekt men niet).Pascal Goffaux, Les estaminets, 9 December 2017.

Estaminets in culture

Victor Hugo used the word "estaminet," among other Walloon words, in his naturalistic novels set in the north of his country.Hugo, Victor (1865). Les Misérables. J. Hetzel et A. Lacroix, Paris, The year 1817, p. 69 :

"Estaminet" is also the title of a short story by Gerard Walschap.

"The Estaminet" is a poem by Ivor Gurney published in Selected Poems about comradeship between soldiers during World War I.

Estaminet 'In 't Spinnekopke' is one of the recipients of the Bronze Zinneke, an award handed out by the cabinet of the Brussels Region to individuals, personalities, organisations, or companies that perform a role as informal ambassadors of the Brussels Region.

Gallery

See also French cuisine Cuisine and specialties of Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Notes and references

Bibliography In 1886, the publisher Ravet-Anceau established the first inventory of estaminets in his . Since 2005, estaminets from northern France and Belgium are listed in the , described as the Bible of estaminets in 2013 (Gilles Guillon, Pôle Nord Editions). Giuseppe Salvaggio, , Strépy-Bracquegnies, Le Livre en papier, 2021, 476 p. - Pages 217 to 228 are dedicated to the etymology of the word "estaminet" ). Dominique Lobjois, , préface de Jacques Messiant, Éditions Engelaere, 2016, 176 p. . 2018 BruxellesFabriques = Brusselfabriek.

External links

Estaminet.fr A site dedicated to estaminets (in French).