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 ever want to do more than once (unlike visiting the Louvre, which I could do over and over again), 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-filled 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 vibrant atmosphere. The term “Moulin Rouge”, which translates to “Red Mill”, comes from the red windmill on top of the establishment, which serves as a guiding light for guests.

During its early years, the Moulin Rouge attracted a diverse crowd, from the working class to the elite of Parisian society. The enticing dances, such as the can-can, mesmerized spectators and increased its fame. The venue also attracted prominent artists like 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 continually reinvented itself, cementing its position as a legendary center of entertainment. Today, the Moulin Rouge serves as a enduring 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 sumptuous 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 purchase for a night at the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre, here’s a quick overview of Moulin Rouge ticket just for you:

1. Cheapest Moulin Rouge ticket: Late night Moulin Rouge ticket for 11:30 PM (include champagne)
2. Best ticket for the Moulin Rouge: Evening ticket for the Moulin Rouge for 9:00 PM (include champagne but book quickly)
3. Dinner + show ticket at the Moulin Rouge: Ticket for the Moulin Rouge + dinner by a French chef (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 the 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, books up very quickly!

You have some options for Moulin Rouge tickets:

• Show tickets (include champagne)
• Show + dinner tickets (include champagne as well)
• Combination tickets (include a 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 the best ticket to book if you want a complete experience! You’ll 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 bottle of champagne or wine per person. If you don’t drink alcohol, 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 the easiest to get tickets for in a snap (but they 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 starts at 11:30 PM.

Moulin Rouge + Other bundle tickets for Paris’s top attractions

There are two tickets I think are 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 cruise

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

Moulin Rouge ticket with dinner cruise on the Eiffel Tower

If you want to combine an evening 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 total. You’ll enjoy a dinner river cruise on the Seine along with a visit to the Eiffel Tower (entry included in the 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 ½ bottle per person (choice can be made during booking process).

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’re in the area, it’s 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. The bus numbers are 30, 54, 68, and 74.

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by taxi

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

If you’re trying to get a taxi, try to find a nearby spot before the show where you feel safe walking afterward and hail a taxi. Or you can take a street taxi from the taxi line (you’ll only pay a surcharge).

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by metro

Getting to the Moulin Rouge by metro is simple! Take the M2 to the “Blanche” stop and walk from there.

If you’re looking for an alternative nearby stop but that requires a bit more walking, get off at Place de Clichy. It’s on metro lines 2 and 13, so if you’re not 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’ll need to park near Place Blanche at the Clichy-Montmartre car park. The Moulin Rouge offers a special rate to guests with valid tickets for this car park, so make sure you have your ticket ready! You can book a parking spot here.

Moulin Rouge Shows

Planning your trip to the Moulin Rouge and not sure what time to buy tickets for? Well, you have some options and a few different ticket choices.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Moulin 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 (but you do not 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 next section.

Security at the Moulin Rouge

There are security measures in place at the Moulin Rouge. It wasn’t anything too crazy, but I had 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.

Accessibility at the Moulin Rouge

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 the ticket if you have mobility issues.

What to expect during the Moulin Rouge show

I finally had the chance to go to 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 what I thought.

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

When you arrive, you’ll wait in the lobby and be admitted into the lobby area where you’ll be separated into different lines. You’ll 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 escorting us into the showroom. A lovely gentleman escorted me inside and sat 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.

I was served champagne and 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 enjoyable and entertaining. I really had fun 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 for other cultures. I guess if the show hadn’t been so “white,” it might 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 enjoyed most of the experience except for the snake act and the topless dance of colonial-era India and Africa.

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

If you want to know more, feel free to contact us in the comments or on our contact form and I can provide you with more 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 program 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, though (good to know if you are booking a taxi for after the show).

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

There is a high-quality French chef who prepares every meal on show nights. The menu is constantly evolving, but you can inquire in advance to make sure you have no allergies to anything.  You can also select vegan or vegetarian options when booking your ticket.

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 have a drink or dine 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 beautiful!)
• 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 (economical 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!)