Legal Age in France?
 

I'm going on a trip to Paris mid-march, and am wondering what the legal age is for alcohol and clubs. And also, Is Le Moulin Rouge as great as I've heard?

I believe the age is 16 for alcohol and clubs. Be aware, most clubs don't open until 11 pm or midnight, and stay open until 5 am. The Moulin Rouge is a strip club, about $100 per person for dinner and the show. Check out <BR>http://www.pariscope.fr/anglais/indexang.html -- the electronic version of Pariscope (only 3FF to buy there though - unless it went up last month). Pariscope has everything going on for the week, it lists everything you can imagine to do. It has clubs, movies, museums, and even an english section in the back. Most Parisians buy it as soon as it comes out on Wednesday morning. Most of the clubs have dress rules as well, and a lot will not let in sneakers AT ALL. Make sure you have clothes and shoes that will pass. Clubs usually run about $20/person to get into on the weekends, although some have women free nights. Any questions, email me and I'll be glad to help!

A boy about 10 in front of me in the super market the other day purchased a bottle of wine, the cashier did not even give him a second glance. I doubt any clubs or bars here will 'card' you, as in the US. By the way, although I confess I've never been, I don't really think "strip club" is an accurate description of the Moulin Rouge, based on photos I've seen of the show and accounts from people who have been. It's a big, glitzy "tits and feathers" spectacular, very corny, a la Las Vegas.

Amanda, alcohol is not viewed in the same manner as in the US, as I'm sure you know. If there is an age limit, I never saw one posted the 2 years I lived in France. It is quite common to see parents and their children drinking wine together in restaurants. As to clubs, we took my wife's nieces (about 11 and 13) into the Lido with us. It's as riske as the Moulin Rouge. <BR>As to the Moulin Rouge, I felt I was being hustled there and the area in which it's located, Le Pigalle, is disgusting. I much prefer the Lido on the Champs Elysee, particularly because the shows are outstanding, the seating is perfect for everyone to see, and since the champagne comes with the admission charge, there is no hustling the patrons for drinks. <BR>

Being a French citizen, I don't even know for sure myself what the legal age is. And I have never been asked, nor have I seen it around me, an ID to be served alcohol or to enter a club. So, no problem about that ! As far as Le Moulin Rouge or Lido is concerned, in both places you're more likely to see Japanese businessmen and German tourists than locals !