Lido cabaret in Paris: how the revue closed and what is on stage now

The Lido cabaret was the calling card of the Champs-Élysées for decades. Today it is no longer a revue, but a musical theater.

On July 30, 2022, the Lido gave its last dinner show and closed its 27th revue, Paris Merveilles (As of: 09/2026, French tourism office on the closure). The venue at 116 bis Avenue des Champs-Élysées underwent renovation and is welcoming audiences again as the Théâtre du Lido. Since September 17, 2026, the musical "Singin' in the Rain" directed by Robert Carsen has been running here (As of: 09/2026, Théâtre du Lido program).

We looked into how the cabaret came to be, how it kept its edge for 76 years, and what to see on this stage today.

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History of the cabaret

💡 In short:

• On July 30, 2022, the Lido closed as a cabaret (As of: 09/2026, Paris je t'aime tourism office news).
• Today musicals run here instead of revues.

The location on the Champs-Élysées is older than the cabaret itself. Back in 1928, a pool with water shows opened here, and its decor was done in the spirit of Venice and its Lido beach (As of: 09/2026, history of the venue on Wikipedia). Parisians called the bathhouse "La Plage de Paris," meaning "the beach of Paris."

That is where the venue's name came from. The Lido was named after the Venetian beach, not after its founders. The Venice theme later lived on in the cabaret's interiors as well.

The classic cabaret appeared here after the war. In 1946, brothers Joseph and Louis Clerico bought the venue from Léon Volterra and on June 20 presented the first revue, "Sans rimes ni raison" (As of: 09/2026, the Lido's first revues). Success came quickly, and the venue became a magnet for all of Paris.

In 1948, the Bluebell Girls joined the troupe under the direction of Margaret Kelly, whom everyone called Miss Bluebell (As of: 09/2026, the Bluebell Girls troupe). They became the face of the cabaret for decades.

The revue format

The Lido became famous not only for its acts, but also for its evening format. Together with Pierre Louis-Guérin, the Clerico brothers introduced the "dîner-spectacle" formula, meaning a dinner show where the kitchen and the stage worked together (As of: 09/2026, the dinner show format).

The concept proved successful and spread across the market. You dine to jazz, and after dessert you watch a show on the big stage. Other Paris cabarets quickly copied this approach.

Later René Fraday worked on the program, and the evening turned into a cohesive performance with thoughtful dramaturgy. This format held at the Lido for decades and set the tone for the entire genre.

The shows and the Bluebell Girls

The Lido revues were built on beauty without vulgarity. Costumes with lavish ostrich feathers, rhinestones, and bright costume jewelry created the look. The program included topless numbers, so it was not a family-friendly evening.

The troupe had its own hierarchy: Bluebell Girls, Belles, Sublimes, and Boys. It also had its own standard: dancers had to be at least 1.75 m tall (as of 09/2026, Lido troupe hierarchy). This selection process created the very synchronicity that audiences came to the Lido to see.

Over the years, this stage hosted Édith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Joséphine Baker, Dalida, and Shirley MacLaine (as of 09/2026, Lido stage stars). The classic Parisian revue is still alive today, just in other venues: for example, Moulin Rouge with a glass of champagne on GetYourGuide.

The Normandie building

In 1977, the Lido moved further up the Champs-Élysées to the Normandie building at 116 bis (as of 09/2026, move to the Normandie building). The new venue was designed by Italian architects Giorgio Vecchia and Franco Bartoccini. It has 1,150 seats, two levels, and a ceiling with no columns at all.

© Yann Caradec from Paris, France · CC BY-SAPhoto: Yann Caradec from Paris, France, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

To make sure everyone could see the show, the orchestra level was made movable. During dinner, 300 guests sat at tables, and before the show the platform was lowered by 80 cm (as of 09/2026, auditorium design). You will have a clear view of the stage from any seat.

The renovation opened the door to complex effects during the performance itself: a fountain, an ice rink, laser projections, fireworks. To achieve this, renowned directors and designers were brought in for the productions.

Lido revues: 27 productions

Over its history, the venue produced 27 revues (as of 09/2026, Lido revue chronology). The last one was Paris Merveilles: it premiered in 2015 and ran every evening until the closure.

In its best years, the Lido operated 365 days a year and gave two shows per evening (as of 09/2026, cabaret operating schedule). A schedule like that required a large team: costumers, tailors, technicians, and the ballet.

© Viault · CC BY-SAPhoto: Viault, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

What the Lido shows today

At the end of 2021, the cabaret was acquired by Accor, and in May 2022 a format change was announced (as of 09/2026, Lido ownership change). The revue was discontinued, and the transformation affected 151 jobs (as of 09/2026, cabaret transformation plan).

In September 2022, the venue reopened as Théâtre du Lido and switched to musicals. From December 1, 2022, it hosted "Cabaret" directed by Robert Carsen, for the first time in Paris in the original English version (as of 09/2026, launch of musicals at the Lido).

Over several seasons, the stage saw "The Rocky Horror Show," "Hello, Dolly!," "Titanique," and "Les Demoiselles de Rochefort" (as of 09/2026, 2023-2026 lineup). The current lineup features "Singin' in the Rain" directed by Robert Carsen (as of 09/2026, current theater lineup).

If you want a broader selection of Paris experiences, check out Paris tours and excursions on GetYourGuide.

Tickets, hours, and dress code

Tickets are sold through the theater's official box office. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and the phone line operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (as of 09/2026, box office and opening hours). The price depends on the seat category and date, so check the official page for the current amount before purchasing.

There is no strict dress code. However, shorts and athletic wear are out of place here: an evening at this venue has historically been a night out. In the revue era, the evening began with dinner and continued with a show until midnight, and the audience dressed accordingly.

Getting there

Théâtre du Lido is located at 116 bis Avenue des Champs-Élysées (as of 09/2026, theater address). The easiest way to get there is by metro: line 1, George V station, the exit leads right to the building. From Charles de Gaulle - Étoile, take RER A, then walk down the Champs-Élysées.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Lido still operating as a cabaret?

No. Lido cabaret closed as a revue on July 30, 2022, when the last dinner show was performed. The venue did not sit empty: it was renovated and reopened as the Théâtre du Lido musical theater. Today it hosts musicals, not classic revues with cancan and feathers.

What is playing at Lido now?

Since September 17, 2026, the musical "Singin' in the Rain" has been on stage. Director Robert Carsen already staged "Cabaret" here in 2022. The theater's program changes in blocks of several months, so check the official website for exact dates before your trip.

How much do tickets cost and where can I buy them?

Official tickets are sold by the theater box office: online, by phone, and at the box office on the Champs-Élysées. The price depends on the seat category and date, so there is no single fixed amount. Buy only from the theater: on the official page you can see both the seat category and the exact price.

How do I get to Théâtre du Lido?

The theater is located at 116 bis Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The easiest way to get there is by metro: line 1, George V station, exit right by the building. From Charles de Gaulle - Étoile, take RER A, then walk down the Champs-Élysées.

Is there a dress code?

There is no strict dress code, but shorts and athletic wear are out of place here. An evening in this venue has historically been a night out, and the audience still dresses neatly and smartly.

In short: what to book

Today the Lido operates as a musical theater rather than a cabaret, so check the schedule and tickets on the official website. If you specifically want a revue evening, choose the neighboring venues on the Champs-Élysées. For an overnight stay nearby, hotels in Paris on Trip.com are a good fit. Other city experiences are easy to buy in advance: tickets to Paris attractions on Tiqets. Plan your trip ahead: musicals run in blocks of several months.