Ménilmontant is a 1938 French song written and composed by Charles Trenet, who was then nicknamed 'le Fou chantant' and was an idol of Parisian youth. Its theme is the nostalgic memory of the Ménilmontant district of the 20th arrondissement of Paris, with its old station and village atmosphere. Musically it is a French jazz-zazou piece at a moderate tempo, influenced by the accordion and bals musettes as well as by American swing and jazz. Trenet recorded it on 6 April 1939 in Paris, accompanied by Wal-Berg and his orchestra, for Columbia. It became one of the hits of his career and a classic of French song and of Paris songs.
Notable later versions include Maurice Chevalier's variant 'La Marche de Ménilmontant' (1942), Colette Renard's recording (1957), Caterina Valente's (1962), Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli's gypsy jazz treatment, and Patrick Bruel's version with Charles Aznavour (2002). Many jazz and gypsy-swing instrumental recordings have also been made. The song is heard in films including Les Keufs (1987) and Un p'tit gars de Ménilmontant (2013).
