Charlemagne Bar

Metz France

There were literally hundreds of bars in Metz. Why was the Charlemagne Bar so popular in the 1950's?

Well - for starters, when 1 Air Division moved from Paris to Metz in April 1953 - there were no facilities available on the station. It took close to a year for construction to provide barracks, a mess hall, a PX, recreation centre etc for the RCAF personnel stationed in Metz. As a result - all of the RCAF personnel had to find accommodation and recreation in the city or one of the many communities in the local area.

The Charlemagne Bar was on the ground floor of the Regina Hotel, at 4 Rue Charlemagne.. which was just one block from the ABC Restaurant. Call it convenience or whatever suits your purpose. The fact remains that these two establishments were frequented by many RCAF personnel during the "glory days" of 1 Air Division. I was quite sad to find that the Charlemagne Bar no longer existed - as evidenced in Curt Usherwood's photos from 1985.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. The exterior remains of the Charlemagne Bar as seen from our hotel across the street - September 1985.
    Courtesy Curt Usherwood.

  2. The exterior remains of the Charlemagne Bar as seen from our hotel - September 1985.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Curt Usherwood.

  3. Unidentified bar tenders at the Charlemagne bar - April 1957.
    Courtesy Denis Goulet.

  4. RCAF personnel in the Le Charlamagne bar - October 1956.
    (L-R) Gallant, unknown, Denis Goulet, Michel Bernier, unknown, Denis Allard.
    Courtesy Denis Goulet.

  5. RCAF personnel standing in front of Le Charlamagne bar - May 1956.
    (L-R) Unknown, Grondin, Michele Bernier, unidentified bartender, unknown, unidentified woman.
    Courtesy Denis Goulet.

  6. RCAF personnel spending time in the Le Charlamagne bar - February 1956.
    (L-R) Smith, Denis Goulet, Peter ?.
    Courtesy Denis Goulet.

  7. A Menu from the Charlemagne Bar on the ground floor of the Regina Hotel, one block from the ABC restaurant - September 1955.
    Courtesy Joe Milner.

  8. Le Charlamagne bar was a favorite "watering hole" - August 1955.
    Courtesy Frank Powers

  9. Crest from the Hotel Regina in Metz - April 1955.
    Courtesy Lorne Acton.

  10. Max Marx (an MP) in the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  11. Unidentified MP in the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  12. The birdcage which was in the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  13. Skip McKimm outside of the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  14. Pete Broda standing outside of the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  15. Skip McKimm in the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  16. (L-R) Skip McKimm and Pete Broda in the Charlemagne Bar - October 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  17. A private party held in the upstairs section of the Charlemagne Bar - September 1953.
    The fellow in the white jacket was called Paul, and he was in charge of the bar. Others are unidentified.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  18. A private party held in the upstairs section of the Charlemagne Bar - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  19. A private party held in the upstairs section of the Charlemagne Bar - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  20. Looking outside from within the Charlemagne Bar - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  21. Charlemagne Bar Menu. Cover page - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  22. Charlemagne Bar Menu. Inner page - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  23. Charlemagne Bar Menu. Inner page - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  24. Charlemagne Bar Menu. Back page - September 1953.
    Courtesy Skip McKimm.

  25. The main entrance to the Hotel Regina - August 1953.
    Courtesy Lois Nesbitt (now Buchanan).


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: December 2, 2004