Loulou Pirate

Pirate , a legendary and discreet address, clinging to the rocks and overlooking the sea on the Cap Martin side; this fisherman's hut has long been a cheerful haunt of the jet set and stars of the 60s and 70s, between evening dresses and swimsuits, high heels and bare feet. These Princesses or Countesses, these heroes or seducers of a day or of always were called Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra or Roger Moore... This invented place was created and built from scratch by the hand of a former croupier of the Menton casino: Robert Viale. A true entrepreneur with a weathered complexion, a flashy earring and a strong character, he was nicknamed the Pirate by his friends and customers. Very quickly, the restaurant became a reference for its unique location, its fresh and simple cuisine and attracted Monegasques and people from the region. It was the meeting with the artistic director of the very chic and dynamic Société des Bains de Mer that would accelerate the success by inviting the artists who performed in the Principality; it all started with Harry Bellafonte, then over the years there would be a succession of: Prince Charles, La Callas, Onassis, Lauren Bacall without forgetting Alain Delon, Jacques Chirac and Joséphine Baker… They all came for the festive, offbeat and deliciously orchestrated atmosphere by Le Pirate, the most famous on the planet Show-Biz: people danced on the tables, plates and glasses were broken to the rhythm of the musicians, lobsters were theatrically fished in the sea or rather in the hidden fishpond, the parrot and the donkeys were part of it and everyone paid the high price for an unforgettable night that made the front page of the People magazines of the time: an unprecedented craze.