(©Moulin Rouge® – S.Bertrand)
Paris may be famous for Food, Fashion and the French Revolution, but it is also synonymous with Love, the Louvre and those long legs kicking out the iconic Can-can routine! Many guests have asked us which evening cabaret show they should experience during their vacation, so here’s the lowdown on what the spectacles have in common – and what makes each one unique.
Le Moulin Rouge
(©Moulin Rouge® – Habas-Smadja)
The most widely-recognized show, and the best family option, is of course the Moulin Rouge. Who can forget Baz Lurhmann’s film with Nicole Kidman shimmying her way down from the ceiling on a trapeze, breathily singing ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’? This cabaret with its distinctive red windmill is situated at the very foot of Montmartre in the heart of the infamous red light district. Established way back in 1889, it was originally created by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler to give people from all different classes and walks of life an opportunity to interact. Nicknamed ‘Women’s First Palace’ (Le Premier Palais des Femmes), its main claim to fame, alongside the free-flowing champagne, was the revolutionary design of a stage that allowed for rapid scene changes that are still a focus of the show today. The inspiration of the Belle-Époque artists living in Montmartre at the turn of the century can still be seen: as you enter the spacious plush red-bedecked theatre, hints of Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir are everywhere and the atmosphere has retained the same lively spirit of days gone by.
The term “Can-can” was actually coined in London, but while the prudish Brits struggled to accept the indecent appearance of a ritualized dance involving girls performing the splits, with all that frilly lace revealing titillating bits of bare skin, over in France the dazzling new show was taking Paris by storm! At the time of its creation women’s bodies were very rarely revealed in private, and certainly not to a public audience, so the introduction of these risqué shows was an immediate hit. A number of talented young ladies became overnight sensations, and Louise Weber, known by her stage name La Goulue, was to become Toulouse-Lautrec’s muse and has subsequently been immortalized by his paintbrush.
( ©Moulin Rouge® – S.Franzese)
There are two evening shows at the Moulin Rouge every day of the year, aptly named Féerie or Fairy, which take the audience on a chimerical voyage complete with pirates, circus performers and even a Gorgon! You can whet your appetites by watching the short video on the Moulin Rouge website – and yes, those are real snakes. This show features 80 dancers, including 60 Doriss Girls (the ladies who perform the Can-can), showing off over 1,000 costumes and a world of glitter, sequins, rhinestones and feathers, not to mention some very toned physiques. Overall, the highly professional team sings (in French), dances and hugely entertains the audience without taking a single false step.
(©Moulin Rouge® – S.Bertrand)
We often get asked about transportation to and from this part of Paris. Arriving by taxi or metro to the ‘Blanche’ stop on Line 2 would be your best bet at the start of the evening, while we would suggest you return home by cab. There are large numbers of official Parisian taxis at the exit as you leave the show, or of course we can organize a special pick-up for you by prior arrangement. Please note that the cabaret is not particularly suitable for very young children, as the plumes and pompons do not cover everything all of the time, but the actual minimum age required at the Moulin Rouge is just 6 years old (we are in France, after all!); ask us for advice if you are unsure. On a practical note, we recommend elegant attire, whether you book a dinner or simply opt for a “coupe de champagne.” That means no jeans or sneakers, but you certainly don’t have to pull out your coattails or ballgowns either!
Le Lido
(©Lido)
Moving across town to the Golden Triangle, the Lido cabaret show is situated right at the center of the Champs-Elysées, giving you an unparalleled view of the Arc de Triomphe in one direction and the glittering Place de la Concorde in the other. Once heralded as “the most beautiful avenue in the world,” it is a fitting location for our second rendez-vous with frills and feathers – over 200 kilos’ worth of them. This luxurious cabaret can comfortably seat 1,000 guests, and prides itself on offering visitors a quality meal with menus created by renowned chef Philippe Lacroix. Alternatively, you can choose the champagne-only option, particularly recommended for the late 11pm show.
(©Lido)
Expect to behold a lot of technical wizardry and stunning scene changes during the Lido show: at one point, water fountains erupt onto the stage out of nowhere. “Paris Merveilles,” as the show is named, is a perfectly crafted and very well-oiled machine, with highly professional dancers and oodles of glamor and glitz. Fresh and modern, the exotic Bluebell girls take the audience on a stylish tour of the capital city, and the show highlights artistic performances including turns from acrobats and a rather terrifying sword-swallower. In addition to the fabulous feathers and fringes, the solo singer, a new addition to the repertoire, is taking the Champs-Elysées by storm – you can take a quick peek at some of the cabaret’s sparkling content on this brief video. It highlights the artistic direction of Franco Dragone, who was previously responsible for entrancing over 85 million spectators in the Cirque du Soleil shows.
(©Lido)
As the final curtain comes down on the “merveilles” and the audience spills outside, you can either choose to head home via the line 1 métro just outside the theatre, or take advantage of the plentiful taxi ranks all along the avenue. Alternatively, you may prefer to continue the magic and have a late stroll down the Champs-Elysées – it’s a very lively spot right until the early hours of the morning.
The Crazy Horse
(© Crazy Horse)
Just ten minutes’ walk away, on the Avenue George V, lies one of France’s most exotic and iconic venues. Think Crazy Horse, and quite probably certain images instantly pop into your mind’s eye: impossibly tall, leggy girls, those distinctive cropped wigs – and probably very little else in the way of outer garments. Highly distinctive, this Parisian cabaret opened its doors in 1951 and has been seducing and mesmerizing audiences ever since. Founder M. Alain Bernardin was unashamedly “un amoureux de femmes” who translated his passion for women into an absolute art form. In recent years, Pamela Anderson, Conchita Wurst and Dita Von Teese have all graced the stage here to sold-out performances. Christian Leboutin, who designs those marvelous red-soled high-heel shoes that are so instantly recognizable, fittingly put his ingenious talents on show by becoming their first Guest Creator. The job description for anyone wanting to apply to work here has also become legendary: all candidates are by necessity not only excellent dancers, but they have to stand between 1,68m and 1,73 m tall, and cannot be even a discriminatory half-inch taller or shorter.
(© Crazy Horse)
The Crazy Horse believes in celebrating the female form and exploring the art of seduction to the full. There is huge importance placed on the use of intricate light and shadow to display the true beauty of the body in an extremely subtle fashion. From the enormous red lips gracing the front entrance to the very opulent velvet cozy seats in the surprisingly intimate theatre downstairs, the atmosphere is decidedly electric, but the show itself is extremely tasteful and very graceful from start to finish. Look out for the special tongue-in-cheek cameo tableau portraying English Beefeaters donning bearskin caps, it’s nothing short of extraordinary.
The Crazy Horse is definitely not appropriate for a family night out, but wholeheartedly recommended for a unique date night, or a post dinner show with friends. For an extra-special experience, ask us about reserving a private lesson with Fiamma Rosa, who instructs small groups with “une leçon dans l’art de séduction” – you may well leave Paris with more than you had bargained for, having learned some of the secrets that make the French so very appealing to the rest of the world!
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To reserve your cabaret show take a look at our nightlife tours and experiences here.
(Image Credits: Sandik, Metropolitan Museum of Art)
