“We find the atmosphere of hidden Parisian bars”

In the heart of the historic center of Rouen, a piano bar has been established for several months. The first in the city, it allows all musicians who wish to come and play on the establishment's grand piano.

In Rouen, on the square in front of the Saint-Maclou church, resonate piano notes. Inside the Victorine Piano Bar, Victor put on his costume to play Chopin's Nocturne number 20, a piece that the young pianist likes to play here.

“When I play the piano, I like to have the outfit that goes with it, it puts me in the mood. And then it’s a question of respect for the people who frequent the bar.” The high school student has been coming here since the establishment opened last June.

He had even spotted the grand piano even before the opening.“My sister lived next door, I regularly passed by the window and when the piano arrived, there was nothing there yet around. I told myself either these are people who are having a nice show, or there is going to be something interesting.”

Since then, the self-taught high school student has regularly come to play for 2-3 hours to practice because he does not have a keyboard in his studio in Rouen.

When you enter the establishment, you immediately have the impression of being in a country house where a friend is playing for you. The almond green walls, the paintings on the wall and the fake fireplace, as soon as you enter, the entire decoration immerses you in a warm atmosphere.

“It’s a place where you feel good. I find it very pleasant. You want to come there in the evening,” Chloe explains.

The owner of the place, Victorine Nassarah, has wanted to open a piano bar for a long time. She waited until she found the perfect location to do it. Already the owner of a music bar in the Normandy capital, this time she wanted a more open place for musicians.

They can come and play freely from Tuesday to Friday. On Saturday, however, professional groups are scheduled.

“I love spending time here, although it’s everything I imagined, it’s even better,” explains Victorine.

There is a real exchange between the musicians, they meet, it creates something special

Victorine, owner of the piano bar

Living in Yvetot, Opale comes every week specially to Rouen, to play here. “That's what we needed to make ourselves known, to share. Usually, I play in the street, but here, people have a drink, they have time to listen. Besides, between us , we share learning techniques, advice, we like to get together”, explains the 17-year-old teenager.

That day, she played with Victor on all fours.

It’s almost 8 p.m. and Jean-Flore arrives. He works in the pharmaceutical industry in Val-de-Reuil and as soon as he can, once his work is finished, he joins the establishment to sing classics of the repertoire.

This evening, he will be accompanied on the piano by Guillaume. “It's a great place, there is great tolerance from the house. The people, they don't all have the same level, the same ambition, the same will… The only desire is to make music together”assures the thirty-year-old.

There are few places like this today that allow you to make improvised music.

Of Beninese origin, Victorine wanted a warm place where you feel good. “It reminds me a little my childhood, there was music all the time” she says.

This music enthusiast, who has been living in Rouen for 20 years, has succeeded in creating a place in her image where you feel good and the customers are not mistaken.

At the end of the day, the establishment is always full. That evening, three young women share a drink, they have already been here several times.

You wouldn't say they're amateurs, each time it's different, you never know what style it's going to be, it makes the experience unique.

“We find the Parisian atmosphere, hidden Parisian bars”, concludes Marie, a customer.