The Parisian cabarets: legs for days
Paris is the capital of the cabaret shows that bring together music, dance and sketches. Over a hundred years after their golden age in the 19th century, some Parisian cabarets have undergone a complete revival and have a huge variety of shows on offer.
Here are our top 5 Parisian Cabarets:
MODERN: LE CRAZY HORSE
With “Désirs”, which has been running since 2009, Philippe Decouflé has taken this famous location, opened in 1951, and brought it back to life. He has resumed certain signature symbols (black bob wigs, high heels, lipstick) of this infamous show, but blended with poetry, irony and off-beat humor. It’s a marvelous visual spectacle, thanks to dazzling lighting and wall projections.
Prices starting from €85
- Address: 12, avenue George-V, 75008 Paris
- TeL: 01.47.23.32.32
- Performance times: Sunday-Friday (20.15 and 22.45) and Saturdays (19.00, 21.30 and 23.45)
+ We like: The regular guest-stars
– We don’t like: no sit-down dinner
INTERNATIONAL: THE LIDO
Its latest revue sets its sights high. Run by Granco Dragone, formerly of the Cirque du Soleil, it combines tradition, innovation, the cancan and the latest technology (image synthesis, high-definition graphics on LED screens, fiber-optic outfits) to recreate 1930S Paris with a hint of Las Vegas.
Prices: show €115, €165 with dinner
+ We like: they don’t skimp on the budget
– We don’t like: can be slightly overwhelming
INTIMATE: LA NOUVELLE SEINE
Open for 2 years, this little theater-restaurant opens its stage in the tradition of an American burlesque show, which is very much in fashion. It’s a male and female strip show nuanced with comedy and poetry. The barge moored at the foot of Notre-Dame is very popular with rock and retro music fans.
Price: 21€.
- Address: Péniche sur berge, face au 3 quai de Montebello, 75005
- Tel: 01.43.54.08.08
- Performance times:Tuesdays at 23.00
+ We like: the variety of the performance
– We don’t like: the boat rocks a bit….
DRAG: MICHOU
Like its founder, the 80 something Michel Catty, this cabaret hasn’t aged a bit since 1956. This delightfully kitsch live show features a variety of drags acts impersonating famous female singers. Dalida and Amy Winehouse are particularly successful, and this show is light and fun.
Prices: €32 at the bar, €65 for a seat and a glass of wine, €110-140 for dinner and the show
+ We like: A feel-good show
– We don’t like: A slightly cramped space
MYTHICAL: MOULIN ROUGE
Since 1889 this has been the most mythical and famous cabaret in the world. Its Féerie show has been running since 1999 and involves no fewer than 80 performers, including 60 Doriss Girls recruited from all over the world. Almost 1000 costumes have been produced in some of Paris’ best-known studios; the stage is splendidly decorated with unique designs by Italian artists for performances and unique acts, like the Giant Aquarium.
Prices : show only from €90, with dinner from €190
- Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018, Paris
- Tel : 01 53 09 82 82
- Performance times: Open daily: dinner-show at 19.00, show-only at 21.00 and 23.00..
+ We like: The mythical Doriss Girls who dance the most famous French Cancan in the world!
– We don’t like : Its touristy feel
