valmoon

My friends and I are traveling to Paris (for the first time) on May 29. Since we only have 3 days , I was wondering if I should include watching a Cabaret show in our itinerary. It's really not our thing but if it is a Paris must, we could do it. We are a bunch of foodies so we would really appreciate suggestions for our 3 day visit. We booked ourselves through Alcove and Agapes who placed us with a lady who lives across Jardin des Plantes. Is that a good area???

Singletail

There was a recent thread on this subject...if you do a search and type in Moulin Rouge you might find it. Interestingly, several of the usual suspect rigid anal rentetive types slammed the poster saying things like, "Why would you go all the way to Paris to see a Las Vegas-type show?" apparently not realizing that that so-called "Las Vegas type show" originated in the establishments IN PARIS, not in late-comer Las Vegas.
Let's see if these same people pop up again. My advice is that if you feel it is worth it, then go see one...then, and only then, can you decide if you should have done it or not.

ira

Hi Val,

>It's really not our thing but if it is a Paris must, we could do it. <

It is not a "must".

I'll repeat my rigid anal retentive comment "Why would you go all the way to Paris to see a Las Vegas-type show?".

I do realize that the 'so-called "Las Vegas type show" originated in the establishments IN PARIS, not in late-comer Las Vegas', and if it were still the 1890's, I would have a different response.

tedgale

As you have only 3 days, you will find you have to ration yourself to do and see (and eat!) all you want, anyway.

If you are foodies, why not research some food-related activities? My partner spent one month visting and filming all the markets and food-halls, even attending the amazing Agricultural fair out in the suburbs...

francophile03

Just ask yourselves if you all want to go see those shows, then if so, go see them.
I've been to Moulin Rouge and would not have gone were it not for my aunt. She likes to see those types of cabaret shows. However, I was surprised that the show was good as I was expecting the worse. But I could have skipped it alltogether; however, this is my opinion only.

mimipam

Hi valmoon,
What else do you plan to do with your evenings? If you have no other must dos for the evening, you could do this. I went to the Moulin Rouge several years ago and am glad I did. I probably would not do it again, but it was a surprisingly good show. Happy travels.

marcy_

For "a bunch of foodies", I think you would be way happier spending your evenings in three good restaurants instead of a cabaret show which is "not your thing".

I don't think the shows are a "must" at all.

klondike

I agree with above posters; IMO there are so many other things I would rather do in Paris, especially with only 3 days and it not really being your thing and all.

However, I was interested in reading comments here specifically a COMPARISON of the shows available from anyone who has done both the Crazy Horse and the Moulin Rouge, on the off chance we feel the urge to go sometime. Anyone?

Thanks!

ira

>.... a COMPARISON of the shows available from anyone who has done both the Crazy Horse and the Moulin Rouge, ..<

I would suggest the Lido.

Better yet, for a real Parisian cabaret show, the Lapin Agile.

"If you like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you will like".

hopscotch

valmoon: Replying to the topic of your query - Yes and Yes.

I've been to both the Lido and the Crazy Horse. The Lido is a magnificent stage production. I can't say it is bigger or better than any in Las Vegas because I've only seen one over there, but the Paris Lido is really spectacular. The Crazy Horse is an intimate theatre with a very erotic floor show. It is well done and something you will long remember.

In both places you will be obliged to buy a bottle of champagne for the privilege of sitting and watching. We ate at the Lido but I recommend against that, definitely.

As for those who wonder why spend your time in these Paris originals when you can see knock-offs in Las Vegas - no comment.

Show times are well into the night so you can have your fine dining (8pm or so) and go to the cabaret later (11 pm or so). After the show go to one of the late night eateries for a plate of beautiful stuff from the ocean. You can't believe what is on some of those huge and expensive trays. A dry white wine will help you wash it down. You said you are a bunch of foodies so go for it. After all, breakfast in Paris is but a scrap of bread, butter, jelly, and coffee. Sleep till noon because you won't get a decent meal until mid-day anyway.

Jardin des Plantes is a big place. Do you have a street name and nearby intersection? Or what Metro?

ira

topping

Michel_Paris

Hi,
I"ve been to the Lido as part of a tour group. It was OK, but I would not go back since I think there are other things I can find to occupy my evenings. The web says 10PM and 12PM shows at US$122 for show only, so if I were to go, I'd eat beforehand, not on Champs Elysee, go to show, then the Champs for a late night snack and appératif.
I stayed at the Timhotel Jardin des Plantes, which is located on the northwestern (sort of) edge of the Jardins. I liked the neighbourhood, university area, very quiet at night, not touristy where I was, easy walk to Seine/Notre Dame, Lutece roman arena, Place Monge market, Luxembourg Gardens and Pantheon, metro, lots of good restaurants. I also had (not a rare thing in Paris!) a great patisserie across the street from the Hotel that I used for my pain au chocolat and other goodies. I was there in December so did not go to the Jardin.

Whatever you do, I know you will enjoy it
MIke

Christina

I'm not familiar with that agency, but it sounds like you are in a B&B-type thing rather than a hotel? Jardin des Plantes is a large rectangular area so across from it could be in various locations, perhaps near Gare Auterlitz, I would guess. I don't think that's a very convenient area or what most people dream of as Paris, and don't think most would choose to stay there. It's not horrendous or anything.

Christina

I've got a better anal comment, although I don't quite understand that appellation as it doesn't make sense in this context (I suspect singletail doesn't know what anal retentive means) -- why would you go to these shows even in Las Vegas?

ira

Is the opposite of "anal retentive" 'oral expulsive'?

valmoon

Guys and Gals,
Thanks for your thought provoking comments. Hmmm... perhaps I will go check out the Paris Lido. What is Lapin Agile? Since the shows start very late anyway maybe it won't time away from our Paris sight seeing. Our Street address is Rue Buffon near Austerlitz station. I want to know if that is walking distance to the portion of the Seine where we can see those 2nd hand book stalls and galleries??

StCirq

Au Lapin Agile is the oldest cabaret in Paris, but it is nothing like the Lido or Moulin Rouge. It's in a relatively small, wine-cellar-like atmosphere where regulars and locals congregate to sing old French songs. They serve liqueurs - it was cherry brandy the last time I went - and you are given song sheets so you can follow along and sing if you want to.
Someone on this board once mentioned he/she didn't enjoy it at all because of the language barrier, for what that's worth. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
And in more than 60 trips to Paris I've never gone to one of the other cabaret shows and don't feel I've missed out on a thing, so I would definitely not say that doing so is a "must."

Budman

StCirq, that would be me!! I don't speak any French other than the courteous hello, good-bye, please, and thank you.

We walked in, it was crowded, and we sat on a little step-stool. Yes, they were all singing French songs, and those who seemed to know French were seeming to have a good time. As I looked around the room, there were others like me with blank stares -- trying to figure out what's going on.

After about 1/2 hour, I told my wife it was time to go, and as we went to the cloak room to grab our coats, we caught a lady rifling through coat pockets. We startled her, and I think she was cursing us out in French, but what do I know, I don't speak the language.

Went to the Moulin Rouge on a business trip -- wouldn't eat dinner there. It was fun and OK, but I wouldn't go back again. It's one of those things that you do just once, so I would recommend it.

We stayed in the Montmartre area, so if you do decide to go, there is a great restaurant called Le Restaurant, a couple of blocks away -- have dinner and catch the second show.