Cabaret in Paris: which shows are still running and how to buy tickets

Red velvet, feathers, and crystal. Cabaret sells not just a show, but a feeling of celebration. In Paris, these venues opened more than a century ago, and some of them still operate today.

The genre began as an intimate literary club and grew into an industry with revues, dinners, and table seating. Let's take a quick look at what you should know before buying a ticket in Paris.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

How cabaret was born

💡 In short:

• Cabaret was born in Paris in the late 19th century as a club for poets, musicians, and artists.
• The first programs were intimate, and later an orchestra, revue, and dinner were added.

The first cabaret is considered to be Le Chat Noir, which Rodolphe Salis opened in Montmartre in 1881 (according to Wikipedia). The club closed in 1897. Poets and musicians took its stage, and dancers performed alongside them. One-act plays, sketches, and chanson-style songs were staged here.

Next door was the Cabaret des Assassins. There were no murders there: guests engaged in verbal duels on literary topics. Today you know this address by another name.

In 1913, the venue was bought by chansonnier Aristide Bruant, who saved it from demolition (according to Au Lapin Agile). The house with green shutters was named Le Lapin Agile.

A legend is tied to this house. The artist Andre Gill painted a rabbit on the sign, one that jumps out of the cook's pot at the last moment. Guests liked the drawing so much that it gave the venue its new name.

Light yet cultured entertainment quickly found an audience. Cabaret became a symbol of free living and a place where you could touch the forbidden without losing your reputation.

In 1889, Paradis Latin was built five hundred meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral (according to Paradis Latin). Bourgeois, intellectuals, merchants, workers, and students met at its tables.

That same year, 1889, Moulin Rouge opened on Place Blanche (according to Moulin Rouge). The location was not chosen by chance: at the time it was an outskirts area that they wanted to turn into a center of nightlife. The bet paid off with room to spare.

The venue played a huge role in the life of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Among circus performers, singers, and dancers, he felt at home. A world where everyone is both spectator and actor became his world.

Later, according to legend, it was at Moulin Rouge that the dance style later called striptease was born. One of the dancers came on stage completely nude, and it caused a scandal. The style caught on and spread to other venues.

In the late 19th century, cabarets appeared throughout France and then in other European countries. Programs quickly grew into lavish revues: feathers, rhinestones, glitter, and fairy-tale sets.

A single performance combined drama, opera, and ballet with circus, tap, and parody. Performers changed looks instantly, and an emcee worked between numbers. The festive and burlesque spirit only intensified.

Cabaret today

Today, famous directors and designers are brought in to stage shows. Real stars take the stage, and audiences are amazed by special effects: waterfalls, laser imagery, and fireworks.

The most spectacular programs are still in Paris: Moulin Rouge, Lido, Crazy Horse, Cesar Palace Paris, and Paradis Latin. But not all addresses on this list still welcome guests. Lido on the Champs-Elysees closed in 2022 and no longer puts on revues (according to the Paris tourist office).

Today, the audience includes more tourists than locals. Tickets for evening shows sell out in advance, so you are better off locking in your date before the trip rather than on the last day.

What a tourist should know about cabaret

Shows in Paris are understandable to an English-speaking audience. You can also choose a production made up entirely of dance and musical numbers.

Tickets are easily bought online. At the entrance, you just need to show your ticket on your phone screen. You should arrive early: doors close before the start, and latecomers are no longer let in.

You do not choose your seat at the table. The maitre d' draws up a seating plan in advance and escorts guests. Your table or booth is assigned according to that plan, not by preference.

Your ticket price often includes sparkling wine and a light snack or dinner. During the performance, guests are asked to refrain from eating, but before and after you can dine comfortably. Filming the show on a phone or camera is prohibited.

There is no single dress code. Casual elegance is welcomed: light chic and neatness in your look. Jeans are not forbidden, but evening attire will suit you better.

The show at Moulin Rouge lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes without an intermission. Many evening programs have an age restriction, and for children there are daytime productions, usually musicals. Check the age rules when buying: they depend on your show (as of 09/2026, verified on the official Moulin Rouge website).

In terms of cost, the picture looks like this. The "show only" format is the cheapest, the option with sparkling wine costs more, and dinner with the show is noticeably more expensive. Prices depend on the venue and day of the week, so expect three-figure amounts per person (as of 09/2026, Paradis Latin pricing page).

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does an evening at a Paris cabaret cost?

The difference between the "show only" format and dinner with the show can be twofold. The markup comes from food and drinks, not from your seat in the room. Check current rates on the official venue pages, they will help you compare formats (as of 09/2026, Paradis Latin).

What should I wear to an evening at a cabaret?

A shirt, dress, or suit without extremes will work. Choose an outfit you can sit in comfortably for a long time.

What language are the shows in?

Most Parisian revues are understandable without French: the numbers are built on music and dance.

Which cabarets operate in Paris besides Moulin Rouge?

Besides Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, Paradis Latin, Cesar Palace Paris, and Le Lapin Agile welcome guests. The format and prices differ between venues, so choose an address that fits your evening and budget.

In short: what to book

If this is your first time in Paris, go for the classic revue at Moulin Rouge: it is the most recognizable venue. For a more intimate stage, head to Crazy Horse, and for the oldest history, to Le Lapin Agile. Paradis Latin and Cesar Palace Paris also put on evening shows.

For an evening show, arrive early and do not count on free seats near the stage: seating is arranged before you arrive. Weekend tickets go first, so you should lock in your date before the trip.

see show and dinner options on GetYourGuide