The Folies Bergère is arguably the second-most popular cabaret in Paris. In fact, there might have been a time when it was the most popular. And it was highly likely before the movie musical came out. Anyways, its popularity stems from two reasons. First, this cabaret has hosted a ton of big names throughout the years. Just a few of its most memorable guest performers include the cabaret icon, Josephine Baker, and comedy legend Charlie Chaplin. Furthermore, the place is also mentioned in another musical: Nine. The character Lilli sings about it in a grand musical number.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ask any experienced Parisian out there and he/she will tell you that Lido also rivals Moulin Rouge in showcasing the best cabaret in the French capital. Its prime location—near the Champs-Elysées—is perhaps greatly responsible for its popularity. However, what they showcase here is just as buzzworthy. Compared to the other cabarets in Paris, Lido presents some of the most provocative performances the city has ever seen. Though still largely a sophisticated event, the girls (and on occasion, boys) here bare it all for all the world to see. And they're not afraid to show off their goods too!
Source: Lido
If you want to watch something a little bit crazier, head on over to Le Crazy Horse along Avenue George V. Another iconic establishment in Parisian cabaret, the bulb has long offered the most glamorous and most ostentatious performances out there. Here, they take the extravagance of cabaret to a whole new level! And what's even crazier is that they'll even take to through time. Meaning their performances are often quite classic as well. You'll feel as if you're back in the 1920s when the show starts. And when it ends, you wouldn't want to go back to the real world!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If Le Crazy Horse isn't crazy enough, Le Zèbre de Belleville will probably take the cake! A cinema turned into a cabaret back in 1945, it's as Parisian as you can get! But as the show starts, you're in for one hell of a ride. This cabaret has blended all the classic components of the provocative art from the flashy and death-defying moves of a circus. Here, the performers won't just seduce you, they will literally fly above you, showcasing their acrobatic splendor. Beyond the usual display of glamorous eroticism, Le Zèbre de Belleville actually gives you a blown out circus show you will never forget!
Source: Le Zebre de Belleville
At Au Lapin Agile in Montmartre, the cabaret here is definitely the most unique. Firstly, the place itself doesn't look like your ordinary cabaret hot spot. It rather resembles a pub or a classic inn more than a place for some sexy glamour. And in a way, Au Lapin Agile rejects all of that flash and extravagance. Here, their cabaret is all about entertaining the audience, which is probably why it has a rather intimate setting. You might not find a lot of sequins or silky lingerie here, but you will still see quality entertainment at its finest!
Source: Au Lapin Agile Facebook Page
Similarly, Aux Trois Mailletz is less ostentatious as well. It's far from the likes of the Moulin Rouge, Lido, and the Folies Bergère. Here, it's the music that's the star of the show. The cabaret performers only enhance it better! This is because the slightly intimate club and restaurant is all about that jazz! This swanky music genre, of which Paris adores and has come to be defined by it, sets the scene up for special cabaret performances that will leave you breathless. Sure, they aren't as flashy nor glamorous, but they sure are sexy and oh so sensual!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Make no mistake, while Cabaret César Palace Paris slightly harkens back to the cabarets of Las Vegas the experience here is far from it. At this extravagant hotspot, the performances revive the spirit of early 20th-century Montmartre, when it used to be the hub of Bohemia. The artistic expressions and sexual liberation that defined those eras are put o full display here, all with the 21st-century flash and dash! Additionally, they also add a bit of comedy into the mix to make the experience much more enjoyable and unique. Sex and laughter... what' not to love?
Source: César Palace Paris Facebook Page
Cabarets aren't exclusively French. Through the years, the art form has been embraced by more and more countries, giving their own influence into it as well. But at La Nouvelle Eve over at Rue Pierre Fontaine, it's all about the can-can! Yep, the dance that defined the cabaret experience of the early 20th-century, and is a proud symbol of French culture. is alive and well in this more than a century-old monument. If you think the Moulin Rouge is the center of the can-can, think again! The highlight of the performances here is mostly that iconic dance reinterpreted again and again for new and modern audiences!
Source: La Nouvelle Eve
Paradis Latin upholds cabaret as the amazing and modern art form that it is. It's easy to forget that, despite its centuries-old origin, cabaret is a relatively modern concept. It evokes fantasy through sly eroticism and artistic glamour. Its popularity then was heralding a new era of liberation and open-mindedness. And here at Paradis Latin, the modernization of the art form continues. Though they revive classic concepts often, their contemporary take on cabaret is what draws people in. Here, they're giving new audiences a chance to get into the action without fully erasing its historic concept!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Even though the Moulin Rouge is a must-see tourist spot in Paris, the city also houses a lot of other interesting cabarets worth checking out. Get lost in the erotic fantasy of the art form again and again in these wonderful places!
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