Moulin Rouge Show Experience In Paris: What To Expect + Tips

The Moulin Rouge offers captivating spectacles, and you should definitely purchase tickets if you want to experience a unique Parisian cabaret show.

Here is what to expect, including our first-hand tips to plan a memorable evening at the Moulin Rouge.

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TL;DR
What to expect from a Moulin Rouge Show?
Types of Performance Tickets
What to wear to a Moulin Rouge Soirée?
Tips
Other Famous Parisian Cabaret
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TL;DR

The Moulin Rouge is an iconic Cabaret establishment in Paris, Montmartre, that has been around since 1889.

Moulin Rouge is French and means red windmill, and the facade of the building has been genuinely a red windmill for more than 100 years.

You most probably know the Moulin Rouge thanks to the 2001 movie, the Broadway musical or the world-renowned can-can dance. The establishment is the original birthplace of the can-can dance.

You can experience an authentic Moulin Rouge show, but there are some things that you should know before you plan everything.

What to expect from a Moulin Rouge Show?

The Moulin Rouge is a typical Parisian Cabaret and Revue, and the current resident stage show is called Féerie.

A performance consists of life performances with singing, dancing, and theatrical humor-filled scenes and circus-like acrobat stunts. The can-can is, of course, part of every show as well.

The artistic Bohemian flair of the 19th century Belle Époque is presented in a sophisticated classy setting, with actors wearing tasteful sparkling outfits and feathered headpieces. It's fully immersive and spectacular!

And yes, all the performances are topless. That said, families with kids 6 years and older can surprisingly take part in a soirée.

Shows are held daily all year round, with special, much pricier, shows taking place on Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day.

Types of Performance Tickets

Tickets are best purchased way in advance on the official Moulin Rouge booking portal.

You can choose between three ticket types:

The Dinner Show at 7 pm
The 9 pm Show
The 11 pm Show

The Dinner Show

The Dinner Show package comes with a chef-curated dinner experience. You get to choose between a set of seasonal menus. Each menu has something else to offer, and a few are pricier.

A meal consists of starters, a main course meal and dessert. ½ a champagne bottle p/P, a glass of wine or non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price.

At 7 pm, you are taken to your table, which is located in the dining area. Music entertainment with jazzy vibes accompanies your 2-hour meal.

The proper Moulin Rouge show, that you came to see, starts at 9 pm and ends about 2 hours later.

Naturally, the full experience, with dinner and the Moulin Rouge show, is pricier at starts at about $265 per person.

9 pm and 11 pm Shows

Once the 7 pm dinner guests are done with their meals, they will let in the 9 pm bookings. This is the first Moulin Rouge performance that takes place every evening.

The second one is at 11 pm, which is the same féerie show, just at a later time of the day. You will notice a slight difference in ticket pricing, with the 11 pm show being slightly cheaper than the 9 pm performance.

9 pm and 11 pm show entry tickets on conventional days are charged between $125 and $160 per adult without drinks, and about $20 additionally with drinks. Drinks are either ½ a bottle champagne p/P, wine or non-alcoholic.

Seats are not reserved for these spectacles, so first come, first served. Be at the entrance when they open the doors so that you get to pick the seats with the better view.

Prestige Tickets

Prestige Tickets are VIP upgrades to either the 7 pm, 9 pm or 11 pm passes.

These tickets come with a priority access, VIP treatment and better seat choices.

What to wear to a Moulin Rouge Soirée?

The Moulin Rouge dress code is ideally formal or semiformal attire, but they are not very strict.

Try to dress up as if you are going to a fancy dinner party because it is a special occasion after all.

They do let people in with sneakers, they don't really seem to care.

Overall, it depends on how you present yourself. Stick to a polished dinner or soirée attire if possible.

They don't let people in who wear shorts, sports wear (jogging), sandals and flip-flops.

Tips

Be on time at the venue, that means an hour in advance to get in faster. Waiting in a queue can take an hour, or else get the Prestige VIP tickets.
There is a security check at the entrance, where they check your belongings.
You can't bring in drinks or water.
You can't keep luggage in the cloak room, but they do take smaller bags and coats for about $2.
It's a non-smoking environment.
If you have come early enough, and you are not happy with the seating, try getting hold of someone and give them some tips to score you a table with a better view.
You are not allowed to take pictures or record the main 9 pm or 11 pm shows. You can, however, take photos of the location during the dinner period.
Go to the restroom before or after the main performance. You might disturb other visitors if you have to go during the main spectacle.
The cabaret is about 1 ½ hours long.
Get the tickets with champagne/drinks included, it's cheaper than buying the drinks at the event.
Coming solo is ok, and you will have the table to yourself.
Partner dancing is encouraged during the Jazzy dinner show (7 to 9 pm).