This is the Moulin Rouge Show in Paris

The year 1889 saw the birth of two of Paris's most famous landmarks. One was the Eiffel Tower, and the other, which concerns us today, is the Moulin Rouge. This unique entertainment venue was built at the foot of Montmartre and has since become the most famous cabaret in the world.

From the outside, its famous red windmill is one of the most photographed icons in Paris. But what happens behind its doors? What is the show like? Well, if you come with me, we'll find out what the show is like and everything you need to know about it.

The first thing you should know is that the Moulin Rouge show is so famous that they hang up the "sold out" sign for every single performance. Therefore, the best and almost only way to get your tickets for the Moulin Rouge with dinner is to do it online. And as far in advance as possible if you want a seat on the dates you want.

My recommendation is to get your tickets at least one month in advance. And if you're going on a Friday or weekend, even earlier. As a last-minute option, you can try to get tickets at the box office, but it's almost impossible to find seats on the same day.

There are several options with different extras that increase the price of your tickets. The most basic option ranges from €70-90 depending on the dates and passes and includes admission and half a bottle of champagne. From there, you can add dinner to your ticket, or choose VIP seats that increase the cost to approximately €150 or even more on some dates.

Although the name Moulin Rouge is known throughout the world, the show it hosts has another name. Féerie is its official name, and it is a show of rarely seen proportions. It features more than 80 artists, including dancers, jugglers, acrobats, etc. The so-called "Doriss Girls" or "happy girls" popularized the famous Parisian cancan.

The costumes also play a fundamental role in the show. The artists wear more than 1,000 Italian-designed dresses with feathers, rhinestones, and sequins, all to the beat of a soundtrack performed by 80 musicians and 60 backup singers.

The show lasts almost two hours and is divided into 4+1 acts, each with its own theme:

• Act 1. The Moulin Rouge yesterday, today, and forever

The show begins with the lights off as the curtain opens and the entire company is introduced. The first number is a variety of music and dance that faithfully represents the essence of what the Moulin Rouge was, is, and will continue to be.

• Act 2. Sandokan and the pirates

This second act revolves around the figure of Sandokan, the character created by the Italian Emilio Salgari. Through dance and pirate-themed scenes, they tell us a story of adventure, danger, and romance.

• Act 3. The Circus

Here , acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and even miniature horses take to the stage in a circus show full of movement, lights, and a brilliant soundtrack. This act ends with a grand parade of the Doriss Girls and Doriss Dancers.

• Act 4. The Moulin Rouge from 1900 to...

This part is a tribute to Parisian women from the early 20th century and culminates in the famous French cancan. This dance launched the Moulin Rouge to absolute fame for its acrobatic and sensual movements, which have delighted audiences for over 100 years.

• Act 4+1. International artists

To round off the evening after seeing the whole show, the Moulin Rouge invites international artists to delight the audience with their performances. From acrobats to dancers and singers, they have all graced this historic stage.

In short, the "Féerie" show is a spectacle of incredible proportions. It certainly lives up to the expectations generated by the historic fame of the Moulin Rouge and its Can-Can.

The Moulin Rouge has two performances a day, seven days a week, every day of the year except on rare occasions. The first show is at 9:00 p.m. and the second at 11:00 p.m.

If you want your ticket to include dinner, this is only available for the 9:00 p.m. show, although dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. before the show begins. If you choose this option, you must arrive between 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For the other show times, it is recommended that you arrive at least half an hour early, but keep in mind that seats, except for VIP seats, are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Moulin Rouge opened its doors in 1889 under the leadership of Joseph Oller, a Spanish businessman, and Charles Zidler. Like the Eiffel Tower, it was opened to take advantage of the popularity of the international exhibition held that year in the French capital.

In its early days, the business was known as a nightclub nicknamed the "palace of women," and although it did not start out badly, the bad reputation it earned soon began to take its toll. To reinvent the venue and give it a new lease of life, its owners renovated it, adding the famous red windmill that crowns its façade, in honor of the old windmills that once dotted the hill of Montmartre, and changed their business strategy.

They changed the name to Moulin Rouge, began hosting the city's most popular cabaret shows, and became a performance venue. It soon established itself as the number one venue in Paris. It was during the period known as the "**belle epoque"**of Paris, when luxury and entertainment were the order of the day.

The artist Toulouse-Lautrec also played a key role in the history of the Moulin Rouge, becoming its poster artist. He was not the only legend associated with the red mill.

Since then, and always backed by its fame, the Moulin Rouge has gone through several stages, adapting its shows to the times but always maintaining its status as an icon of Paris.

Surprisingly, and contrary to what one might think, the Moulin Rouge show is suitable for children in Paris. Children aged 6 and over are admitted, provided they are accompanied by an adult. The downside for younger children is the show's schedule and the price of tickets.

It is not common for children to attend, so there are no discounts for minors. However, the menus do include an option for children. It should also be noted that the atmosphere in the area surrounding the Moulin Rouge after the show may not be suitable.

Language is not a barrier to enjoying the show. The show is a feast for the eyes and ears, with no need to make an effort to understand what is happening on stage. The costumes, the scenery, the dancers, and the whole ensemble speak for themselves.

The dress code at the Moulin Rouge is not very strict and simpler than you might think. Stick to the word**"formal"**and you'll be fine. Just don't wear a tracksuit or shorts.

This depends on whether you have chosen the ticket with dinner or not. If you choose to dine at the Moulin Rouge, you will be offered different options with legendary names related to the venue, such as the Toulouse-Lautrec menu. The cuisine is on par with the show and consists of a starter, main course, and dessert, always accompanied by a bottle of champagne. Remember that the dinner option is only available with the 9:00 p.m. show.

If you prefer to dine out, there is a wide variety of dining options near the Moulin Rouge. Restaurants in the area serve between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., so whichever show you go to, you should always dine beforehand.

It's easy to point out that it's the most famous cabaret show in the world. But the reality goes far beyond that. It's a more complete experience. Starting with the venue itself, whose Belle Epoque aesthetic is worth seeing in its own right. Sticking to the show, there are few like it in terms of the resources they deploy: the costumes, the lighting, the set design, the soundtrack and, of course, the entire cast of artists are of the highest caliber.

The way you experience it is also unique. There are few places where you can enjoy a show like this while sitting at a table, accompanied by a bottle of champagne or a high-quality dinner if you prefer. For all these reasons, and many more that I encourage you to discover, the "Féerie" show at the Moulin Rouge is highly recommended if you visit Paris.

To get the most out of the Moulin Rouge show, here are some tips to help you optimize your experience:

• The most important thing is to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible, as demand is extremely high, especially on weekends.
• Once you have your tickets and go to the Moulin Rouge to enjoy the show, keep in mind that seats or tables are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want the best views, arrive at least half an hour early. However, this does not apply to VIP tickets, which have reserved seats.
• The Moulin Rouge has its own cloakroom service. It costs €2 and you must leave your bags and cameras there.
• You can leave your coat in the cloakroom if you want, but I recommend taking it with you if you feel the cold, as it can get a little chilly in the theater.
• No photos or videos are allowed inside due to the show's copyright. However, there is an official photographer who will come to your seat if you want to immortalize the moment. Keep in mind that the photo is quite expensive, at around €20.