Last Friday we went out to Le Caveau de la Huchette, a jazz club in the Latin Quarter. It was the first Jazz club I had ever attended, which is surreal to me because of how much significance this building has held over time- starting from the 16th century!
Because hashing out all of the history behind the importance of 5 Rue de la Huchette could take many books to uncover, I’ll just mention some of what I find most intriguing about its past and present.
- A Freemason meeting place- this is just alleged, but there’s not much on the internet regarding it, so I think that’s proof enough. Also it’s a cave. I have no question in my mind Ben Gates will be coming here in National Treasure 3.
- An international inspiration- once it became a Jazz club in the 40’s, it inspired the creation of different clubs around the world, one of which is The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where The Beatles got their start.
- It was featured in La La Land- definitely one of my favorite films (make all the Oscar jokes you want), and I noticed inside they had a La La Land poster! I just assumed it was there because.. jazz.. and pop culture, but the next morning after looking up where exactly this cave was, we learned it was actually featured in the movie.
- The dancing- the age range might have been slightly older but their swing dance skills were impeccable. The amount of swing dancing that could fit in this small space was astonishing. And you didn’t have to know how to swing dance to have fun either, take me for example:
I can definitely say that in the moment I had never felt more cool in my life, but looking at this video I think it was partially in my head. It was definitely the place to be– 60 years ago to last Friday.
So glad you went, and even more glad that it’s as I remember!