The Moulin Rouge in Paris is one of the world’s most famous cabaret venues and a must-see if you’re traveling to Paris. It’s a place where extravagance, passion, and sparkle combine to offer visitors a dazzling experience.
Located in the heart of Montmartre, Paris, this iconic cabaret has been captivating guests from all over the world for over a century with its vibrant atmosphere and spectacular shows. It’s one of the most remarkable performances you can enjoy in Paris and an incredibly romantic place for a couple’s outing.
Every night, the cabaret performances take place, and you can enjoy them alongside an exquisite dinner in one of the city’s most glamorous venues. Alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge is one of the most dazzling experiences in the city.
That’s why we’re going to cover everything tourists need to know about the Moulin Rouge, from its history and how to get there, to key tips for scoring the best Moulin Rouge tickets without having to book months in advance or pay excessive prices. Don’t miss any details in this article—it’ll be worth your time.
Buy Tickets for Moulin Rouge 🎟️
The Moulin Rouge in Paris is located on Boulevard de Clichy, right in the center of the Montmartre district. This vibrant street is filled with erotic shops and sex stores, which never fail to catch the attention of passing tourists.
As mentioned, if you’re in Paris for a few days, this unforgettable place is a must-see. It’s a romantic spot, perfect for a memorable dinner with a partner or to surprise your loved one with something extraordinary. The best time to visit is in the evening, when the lights illuminate the venue, attracting everyone’s gaze from all directions.
Our top tip is to book your tickets well in advance, as they often sell out quickly. Booking online is ideal for avoiding queues and securing exclusive discounts for our readers.
Although Moulin Rouge tickets may seem pricey, they’re definitely worth it. It’s an exclusive show, unlike anything else in Paris. Keep in mind there are various ticket options, ranging from affordable to premium, which we’ll outline below:
1. Show Ticket + Féerie Performance + Bottle of Champagne
Enjoy the Féerie show, a two-hour performance, while sharing a bottle of French champagne. This ticket includes a reserved table to watch the cabaret performance featuring 60 artists dressed in magnificent costumes.
To enhance your experience, consider exploring Montmartre before the show. The area is rich in artistic history, and the Moulin Rouge lights up the neighborhood with a unique allure at night, making for a complete and unforgettable Parisian evening.
2. Ticket + Féerie Show + Bottle of Champagne + Seine River Cruise
This package includes everything in the previous ticket, plus a romantic Seine River cruise to enjoy the following evening. From the cruise, you can see the city’s main monuments lit up, including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
3. Ticket + Féerie Show + Dinner
This is the most romantic option, as you can enjoy a fantastic dinner while watching a cabaret performance in the world’s most famous venue. You can choose from four different menus, including a vegan, vegetarian, Belle Epoque, and Toulouse-Lautrec option.
4. Ticket + Féerie Show + Dinner + Transport
Ideal for those who prefer convenience and don’t want to worry about getting back to their hotel from the Moulin Rouge. This ticket includes everything from the previous option, plus round-trip transport from anywhere in the city. The dinner consists of three courses, and you can either share a bottle of champagne or opt for two soft drinks.
What Makes These Shows Special?
Moulin Rouge performances are unique because they combine glamour, talent, variety, history, and atmosphere like no other cabaret show in the world. The dazzling costumes, adorned with sequins and opulence, are designed by some of the world’s best fashion designers and transport you to the Belle Époque era.
The artists you’ll see on stage are among the most talented in the world of cabaret, dance, and circus arts. In fact, the Féerie show features 60 dancers, making for a grand and mesmerizing production.
The originality of the shows also stands out, with an impressive variety of performances, including musical numbers, acrobatics, comedy, and more. Each act is meticulously planned to keep the audience captivated from start to finish. And then there’s the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge—a place full of surprises that whisks you away to another time.
The shows last 1 hour and 50 minutes and are performed twice daily. The afternoon shows start at 1:00 PM and 2:45 PM, followed by the highly popular evening performances at 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Currently, the main performance at Moulin Rouge is Féerie, featuring 60 Doriss dancers adorned in extravagant costumes made of feathers, rhinestones, and sequins. The rigorous audition process ensures that only the best cabaret dancers from around the world are selected, and they must meet specific professional and height requirements.
Important Requirements to Keep in Mind
- Moulin Rouge is an exclusive venue, so elegant attire is required. Shorts, sneakers, and jeans are not allowed.
- You must use the paid cloakroom service inside the venue.
- The minimum age to attend the cabaret shows is 6 years.
Visiting the Moulin Rouge is not just about seeing a show; it’s about experiencing a piece of Parisian history in one of the most vibrant and enchanting settings the city has to offer. Make sure to book your tickets in advance and dress up to fully enjoy this unforgettable Parisian night out.
Tips for Visiting the Moulin Rouge
Tickets for the Moulin Rouge often sell out weeks in advance, so if you’re planning to attend one of the shows, it’s important to book online early to secure your spot.
It’s also recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime to get the best central tables for an excellent view of the cabaret and to enjoy a cocktail before the performance.
Before or after the show, take the opportunity to stroll around the Montmartre neighborhood, where the Moulin Rouge is located. Discover its cobblestone streets filled with street artists and, at least from the outside, see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with its breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
For a truly memorable experience and a romantic evening, consider booking tickets that include dinner before the show to enjoy the full magic of the Moulin Rouge.
Lastly, make sure to follow the theater’s rules to avoid any issues. Some of the most important ones are:
- No flash photography
- Keep mobile phones turned off
- Speak quietly to avoid disturbing the performance
This is Féerie, the Show at the Moulin Rouge
Here’s a video (in English) showcasing the interior of the Moulin Rouge and the current show on offer. You’ll see it’s a stunning spectacle full of dazzling dance and light performances, featuring an array of cabaret dancers.
Every detail is meticulously crafted to dazzle and amaze. The show features live music that blends classical and contemporary works in an electrifying performance filled with beauty, passion, and creativity.
Each act within the show has a unique theme and doesn’t follow a single storyline. Instead, the aim is to captivate and astonish the audience with a series of acts that include dance, music, and acrobatics.
How to Get to the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge theater is located at 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France. To reach the iconic “Red Mill” of Paris, walking is a great option if you’re staying anywhere in the Montmartre district.
If you’re further away, public transportation is your best bet. The closest metro station is Blanche on line 2, just a few steps from the venue.
Check out the interactive map for more details on how to visit the Moulin Rouge.
History of the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge opened in 1889 as a dance hall and was an instant hit with the public. It was nicknamed “The Palace of Women” because it became a meeting spot for wealthy gentlemen and women who danced and offered adult entertainment inside.
A few years later, two local entrepreneurs bought the business and gave it a more modern look. They painted the exterior bright red and adorned it with colorful lights and a red windmill that served as a tribute to the old windmills of Montmartre.
These changes paid off, and the Moulin Rouge soon became the most popular dance and music hall in Paris, drawing hundreds of Parisians nightly. Over time, its role evolved from an unofficial brothel to a celebrated venue for spectacular shows and dancing.
However, over the years, it began to fade into obscurity and was even turned into a cinema at one point. In the 1950s, a new owner revitalized the theater by introducing the concept of a cabaret dinner show, which continues to draw crowds from around the world to this day.
Several notable artists have performed at this legendary cabaret, including Liza Minnelli, the crooner Frank Sinatra, and the iconic dancer Jane Avril. This tradition of high-profile acts has carried on to this day, making the Moulin Rouge one of the most sought-after venues in Paris. Getting tickets to the Moulin Rouge can be quite difficult unless booked well in advance.
Today, the Moulin Rouge remains a top dinner-and-show destination, preserving the vintage and bohemian spirit of the French Belle Époque. The on-site restaurant is a spectacle in itself, adorned in rich red hues that evoke the classic cabaret atmosphere.
The venue also features a large theater-cabaret with around one thousand square meters of space—crucial for the elaborate nightly performances. Another impressive area inside is the Cinema Hall, a versatile space used for events, meetings, or even as a private dining hall.
Additionally, the Mistinguett Lounge, the smallest room at roughly 250 square meters, serves as a meeting space or party area, ideal for more intimate gatherings.
If you’re planning to visit the Moulin Rouge, you can conveniently reach it by taking the Metro or even the funicular, as it is located in the elevated Montmartre district. Discover this historical venue and create one of the most unforgettable and unique memories of your trip to France.