How to Book a Moulin Rouge Show in Paris

If it’s your first trip to Paris, I think the Moulin Rouge is a fun way to spend an evening. There are many cabaret shows in Paris, but obviously the Moulin Rouge is the most famous of all.

Although I don’t think it’s something you’ll want to do more than once (unlike visiting the Louvre, which I could do over and over), it’s an experience that must be lived at least once by anyone traveling to Paris. This guide will explain in detail how to book tickets for the Moulin Rouge Paris, what to expect during the show, the different types of tickets, and will answer some of your frequently asked questions!

To not miss the beauties of Paris, we recommend our Paris guide, the alternative visit to the Montparnasse Tower, an exclusive visit to the Palace of Versailles, a fun day at Disneyland Paris or follow the tips on how to make the most of your visit to Paris.

What is the Moulin Rouge?

The Moulin Rouge, a famous emblem of Parisian nightlife, was founded on October 6, 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller. Located in the lively Montmartre district, the cabaret quickly earned a name for its lavish shows and lively atmosphere. The term “Moulin Rouge,” which translates to “Red Mill,” comes from the red windmill atop the venue, which serves as a beacon for guests.

During its early years, the Moulin Rouge attracted a diverse crowd, from the working class to the Parisian elite. The enticing dances, like the can-can, mesmerized audiences and boosted its fame. The venue also attracted prominent artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who vividly portrayed the distinctive character of the Moulin Rouge in his paintings.

Over time, the Moulin Rouge faced numerous challenges, including a catastrophic fire in 1915 and temporary closures during the world wars. However, the institution has continually reinvented itself, cementing its position as a legendary entertainment hub. Today, the Moulin Rouge serves as a lasting symbol of the charm of Paris nightlife and is truly one of the best things to do in Paris at night.

BOOK HERE: Moulin Rouge Ticket (with Champagne!)

Still boasting lavish shows, luxurious costumes, and hypnotic choreography, the cabaret captivates audiences worldwide, safeguarding its rich heritage and embodying the spirit of the Belle Époque.

Booking tickets for the Moulin Rouge (overview)

If you’re unsure which tickets to buy for a night at the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre, here’s a quick overview of the Moulin Rouge ticket just for you:

1. Cheapest Moulin Rouge ticket: late night Moulin Rouge ticket for 11:30 PM (includes champagne)
2. Best Moulin Rouge ticket: evening Moulin Rouge ticket for 9:00 PM (includes champagne but book quickly)
3. Dinner + ticket for the Moulin Rouge show: ticket for the Moulin Rouge + French chef’s dinner (starts at 7:00 PM and includes champagne)
4. Best combined Moulin Rouge ticket: Moulin Rouge + Eiffel Tower + Dinner cruise on the Seine (great value for money and champagne included)
5. The best cabaret show in Paris that is NOT the Moulin Rouge: cabaret show at Crazy Horse (great for those revisiting Paris or wanting to try something different)

Booking tickets for the Moulin Rouge in Paris (a closer look!)

Getting your tickets for the Moulin Rouge is a pretty simple process, provided you book in advance! This cabaret show, especially the 9:00 PM show, sells out very quickly!

You have a few options for Moulin Rouge tickets:

• Show tickets (includes champagne)
• Show + dinner tickets (also includes champagne)
• Combo tickets (includes one show at the Moulin Rouge + another Paris attraction).

These are my recommendations for the best ticket options for the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

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Moulin Rouge + Dinner Show (includes champagne)

This is thebest ticket to book if you want a full experience! You will arrive no later than 7:00 PM at the Moulin Rouge and will have the chance to enjoy a delicious French meal prepared by the in-house chef with music from the Moulin Rouge orchestra while you eat.

You will also receive 1/2 a bottle of champagne or wine per person. If you’re not a drinker, you can opt for other choices. Vegan and vegetarian options are available (can be selected at the time of booking). Please note that doors open at 6:45 PM, dinner starts at 7:00 PM, and the show begins at 9:00 PM.

Evening show at the Moulin Rouge (includes champagne)

The late-night show at the Moulin Rouge is theeasiest to get tickets for quickly (but they do still sell out, so don’t rely on this). The ticket includes ½ bottle of Champagne or wine (or soft drink of choice). Doors open at 10:45 PM for this show and the show itself begins at 11:30 PM.

Moulin Rouge + Other bundle tickets for major Paris attractions

There are two tickets I think offer great value for those wanting to combine their Moulin Rouge experience with another famous Paris landmark. Here are my two recommendations:

Moulin Rouge ticket with Seine river cruise

This tour package option gives you aticket for an evening Seine river cruise (includes a glass of champagne or a 1/2 bottle – you can choose at the time of booking) and a ticket for the Moulin Rouge evening show. The experience starts at 9:45 PM and lasts about 5.5 hours in total.

Moulin Rouge ticket with Eiffel Tower dinner cruise

If you want to combine anevening cruise at the Eiffel Tower with a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge, this is the best ticket option for you. The evening starts at 6:30 PM and will last about 8 hours in total. You’ll enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine along with a visit to the Eiffel Tower (entry included in ticket price) before heading to the Moulin Rouge evening show. You will have the option to enjoy a glass of champagne at the show or a 1/2 bottle per person (choice can be made during booking).

Plan your trip to the Moulin Rouge

Where is the Moulin Rouge located?

The Moulin Rouge is located in the Montmartre district of Paris at 82 Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement.

If you are in the area, it is impossible not to see it!

How to get to the Moulin Rouge

Taking the bus to the Moulin Rouge

If the bus is a better option for you, you can also easily take one to the Moulin Rouge. Thebus numbers are 30, 54, 68, and 74.

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by taxi

You can go to and from theMoulin Rouge by taxi, but be careful, if you call a taxi right after the show ends, you will be among the crowd of others doing the same!

If you are trying to get a taxi, try to find a place nearby before the show where you feel safe walking afterwards and meeting a taxi. Or you can take a street taxi from the taxi line (you will only pay a surcharge).

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by metro

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by metro is easy! Take theM2 to the “Blanche” stop and walk from there.

If you are looking for an alternative nearby stop that requires a bit more walking, get off atPlace de Clichy. It is on metro lines 2 and 13, so if you are already on line 2, you don’t need to get off and change.

Driving to the Moulin Rouge (+ Parking)

Driving to the Moulin Rouge? You will need to park nearPlace Blanche at the Clichy-Montmartre parking lot. The Moulin Rouge offers a special rate to guests with valid tickets in this parking, so make sure you have your ticket ready! You can book aparking space here.

Moulin Rouge Shows

Are you planning your trip to the Moulin Rouge and unsure about the best time to buy tickets? Well, you have some options and different ticket choices.

Here is a quick breakdown of theMoulin Rouge showtimes:

1. Evening show (9:00 PM): Moulin Rouge Féerie show
2. Late night show (11:30 PM): Féerie show at the Moulin Rouge
3. Matinée (2:45 PM): you can enjoy the Féerie show at the Moulin Rouge as a matinée show, but only on certain dates of the year. In 2023, the dates are January 22, February 19, March 5, and March 19.

Keep in mind that the tickets I linked to all include Champagne (though you don’t have to accept it). These are the standard show times and do not include VIP packages or the dinner packages, which you can purchase separately. I analyzed the inclusion of dinner in the following section.

Moulin Rouge security

There are security measures in place at the Moulin Rouge. It wasn’t anything too crazy, but I did have to show my bag when I arrived. So, don’t bring much and don’t bring anything that might potentially get you flagged by security.

Moulin Rouge accessibility

The Moulin Rouge is accessible to those with mobility issues and wheelchair users. Please arrive early to ensure a spot in line and indicate on your ticket if you have mobility issues.

What to expect during the Moulin Rouge show

I finally had the chance to attend a show at the Moulin Rouge during my last trip to Paris and it was exactly what I thought it would be… and also nothing like I had imagined.

Having booked so last minute, I couldn’t get into the 9:00 PM show, so I had to opt for the 11:30 PM show and I had booked an early tour the next day. So, it was sort of something I feared as someone who goes to bed by 10:00 PM (at the latest).

When you arrive, you will wait in the lobby area and be admitted into the lobby area where you will be split into different lines. You will have little time once you arrive at the venue, so I would definitely use this time to go to the bathroom and order more drinks because it will be more challenging (depending on your seat) throughout the show.

Eventually, they started to escort us into the showroom. A lovely gentleman escorted me inside and seated me at the end of a long table near the stage. My seat was pretty epic… but I guess when you visit the Moulin Rouge alone, they have better options on where to seat you.

Champagne was served to me and I waited for the show to start. You CANNOT take photos during the show, so put your phone away and sit back and relax!

Once the show started, it was pleasant and fun. I really enjoyed myself until about halfway through, but I found that some of the “acts” (I don’t know the correct jargon) seemed a bit culturally offensive or suited to other cultures. I guess if the show hadn’t been so “white” it would have seemed a bit less offensive, but having white women topless dancing around with African tribal masks felt a bit strange to me. Overall, I liked most of the experience, except the snake act and the topless dance of colonial-era India and Africa.

I keep thinking this is an experience that most people will enjoy when visiting Paris!

If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact us in the comments or on our contact form and I can provide you with further details or thoughts there!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Moulin Rouge

Is photography allowed at the Moulin Rouge?

No, photography is not allowed during the Moulin Rouge show. However, you might take photos before the show starts… so that’s how I was able to capture some of the process of entering and waiting for the show to begin.

Is there really nudity at the Moulin Rouge?

There are topless dancers everywhere, but nothing you wouldn’t see on television.

How long is a show at the Moulin Rouge?

They last anywhere from 1.5 hours up to 2 hours. I would definitely count on being there for the full 2 hours, however (good to know if you’re arranging a taxi for after the show).

What’s on the Moulin Rouge Paris menu for dinner shows?

There is a high-quality French chef preparing every meal on the evening of the show. The menu is ever-changing, but you can inquire in advance to make sure you don’t have allergies to anything.  You can also select vegan or vegetarian options at the time of your ticket booking.

Where to go before the Moulin Rouge show

Arriving early for the Moulin Rouge show? I love this area of Paris, but I also think it’s nice to grab a drink or dinner nearby and relax.

Here are some of the main attractions of Montmartre (and other areas near the Moulin Rouge):

• Montmartre (the whole neighborhood is so lovely!)
• Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur (it also has epic views of the city – a 15-minute walk from the Moulin Rouge)
• Montmartre Cemetery (8 minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge)
• Museum of Romantic Life (about 6 minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge)

Is the Moulin Rouge Montmartre worth it?

There are plenty of fantastic things to do in Paris and the Moulin Rouge is definitely worth it if you are visiting the city for the first time. I think it’s one of the best things to do in Paris at night and something that lets you experience a historic part of the French capital, even if the experience has become a tourist attraction over the years!

Hotels near the Moulin Rouge

If you are looking for the best hotels near the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre, here are some of our top recommendations:

• Maison Souquet (5-star hotel with spa and pool – Moulin Rouge is 80 meters away)
• Hotel Monsieur Aristide (budget 4-star hotel 300 m from the Moulin Rouge)
• B Montmartre Hotel (affordable luxury 480 m from the Moulin Rouge)
• Le Chat Noir (located in a former cabaret just 150 feet / 45 m from the Moulin Rouge!)