To add Lido show or Moulin Rougue in our 3 days at Paris?
 

I am surprised to notice the following difference in recommendations.
Tour operators such as SOTC, Thomas Cook, Raj etc from India promote entertainment -? Cabaret shows in their tours of Europe that includes Paris. People from all walks of life including royal and noble families apparantly visit these family shows as well as children's shows.(Example includes Lido / Moulin Rouge.)
Fodor's choice nowhere recommends these shows.
Should our family travelling on our own, opt for one evening/night for one of these shows? If yes, which ones can be considered?

You're right. Evening entertainment seldom gets mentioned at all except for church concerts and the occasional opera or ballet. I guess I'm a good example of why that is.

In several trips to Paris we have never once sought out entertainment after dark other than a Seine cruise. After walking 12 or so miles and spending the day sightseeing, we're ready for a long relaxing meal with appertifs and wine. It probably sounds boring to some, but it's just the way we like to end the day.

Go for it! I think the posts on this forum liken these shows to Vegas revues. I have heard that the Crazy Horse, 12 Avenue George V, 8th arrondisement is the best of the bunch.
We walked past the Lido several times and saw a lot of tour busses and Japanese tourists.
Advice seems to be to avoid the dinner and settle on the "drinks only" package.
If nothing else it will be a memorable part of your vacation. When in Amsterdam we walked the red light district and friends were more impressed with details of that part of our trip than any other!
On a whim when in Paris we went and saw Davinci Code with French subtitles and it is something that Sandra and I often discuss as being an unplanned pleasure.
On the other hand don't expect it to be authentic Paris.

The Moulin Rouge show is pretty much the prototype for all the so-called "Vegas style" reviews. We enjoyed it more than the Lido show which we had seejns years previously.

Book it directly if you pick it over others:

www.moulinrouge.fr

And BTW..this is one place where we saw people in shorts turned away even though they had tickets.

I think the Moulin Rouge is more appropriate for a family. Click on my name, I wrote about it in a trip report from October this year. Others have written about their experiences too on other threads, check the search box.

The M. Rouge is pleasant entertainment, nice show, great historical setting, fun evening.

Agree they are Vegas style extravaganza vaudeville shows with very fancy/minimal costumes. Have never been to Crazy Horse but have heard parts are essentially total nudity (not sure who is in your party).

Many people think of them as tourist traps, since they're quite expensive and the food provided (if you take a meal package) is not good.

Great place to see a little skin, sip expensive booze, and eat bland food. Perfect tour bus filled with Japaneanse tourist experience. What is there not to like?

Dukey, I was one of the guys turned away in shorts.

Okay, okay, I admit I went to the Moulin Rouge years ago. It was fine - not sure I'd do it again, but never say never, especially if somebody else is paying for it.

My parents (aged 63) went to Lido, It was the highlight for my mom. The audience was by no means all from Japan. Each day we passed by we saw tons of people lined up. My mom loved the show, she kept talking about the amazing things they did, and how it would be great for the kids, but there is one topless scene. I think kids may even be admitted free after the dinner, the show does not start until after the dinner portion is over.

You can go on a night tour which includes the late show and champagne. Yes, there are other tourists there.

kamleshrut, if you do a search here you will see that people are divided on opinions. It is like a PG rated Vegas show.

I saw a guy get turned away from the Moulin Rouge for wearing a pair of Rockports. He was told that no tennis shoes were allowed.

I've been to both the Lido and Moulin Rouge years ago and didn't care for the Lido's modern motif. I've always wanted to go to the Crazy Horse, and maybe will on the next trip.

If you do decide to go, do dinner elsewhere and take in the late show. ((b))

I think tours include these shows because they think that is what tourists want to see who do those tours. What kind of family do you have? Since you use the word family and talk about children's shows, I assume you have children. I haven't been to it, but I know the Crazy Horse is the most sexual and "adult" of these shows, and doesn't even pretend to be a variety or general entertainment show. It's focus is on nude women and that is how it presents itself, as the main purpose of the show. You can tell that from its website, it is certainly not something you would take children to, and I seriously doubt they would even be allowed in.

I think there is some concensus that the food at the shows is not the greatest and is overpriced. If you want to go, eat elsewhere and take in the late show. I went to the Lido many years ago, I have not returned to see any of the shows.

Just for the record, those folks who were turned away for wearing shorts were in line directly behind us and they were definitely from Japan which I am certain will make someone here feel better about themselves.

We did not eat the food and went for the show only.

There was one number with topless showgirls; the rest of the acts were performed by the fully-clothed.

Dukey, is it safe to assume that the topless girl part of the show was a complete waste for you?

Thanks everyone.
Christina, we are a family of 3. Wife,daughter-20yrs and myself.
We have been to ballet, opera but never been to any vulgar show, [nor intend to do so] "but never say never!"

SeaUrchin, I went thro' the your mentioned threads.Some research.
Got the message as follows: Correct me & / or add if something left out.

1.If one wants to attend, "Moulin Rouge show was the most tasteful".Even though one number has got some nudity,
'there is not one vulgar move to the whole show'.
Lido was also seen by some of the guys and found to be OK.
Crazy Horse Saloon is a bit rough one.
2. Pioneers of M.Rouge included La Goulue, Jane Avril [?Toulouse-Lautrec]. Famous 1830 Parisan ? erotic Dance Can Can is included, probably last one number of M.R. Related to this show, one award winning musical movie 'M.R.' has been produced.
3. "On the other hand don't expect it to be authentic Paris." Got the point, Robjame.
Lots of tourists, little (to no) authenticity, wrote Nospam in last thread. [Authentic Can Can, I understand.]
4. "I think there is some concensus that the food at the shows is not the greatest and is overpriced. If you want to go, eat elsewhere and take in the late show." Michel_Paris. There may not be any repeat value, Right?

5. "I know, it is a tourist trap of sorts, but if it is fun and worth the money, I would be game..." Heavens.

6. The place is really crowded and there is much drinking and smoking.amen.
Its a red light district.
one may be approached by prostitiutes and drug dealers.Be careful.
Local people do not prefer coming to this area. [ & therfore this show].

7.Better, book a night tour with [Paris Vision or like] which includes an illiminary bus tour of Paris and then the show w/o the dinner and drops you off to your place!

'thought it was spectacular and well worth the money'. So we shall probably go for M.R.[not Lido]
Thank you all.
Kamleshrut.

Hi, yes that sums it up, lol.

I took this one:
http://www.parisvision.com/en,5,63-I...rouge-show.htm

There is no real nudity in Faerie just some tasteful topless dancing. Have some champagne and enjoy the show!

Thanks SeaUrchin,
What to do: Illumination, Seine Cruise, M.R. show and Eiffil by night?
We have 3 days and 3 Nights.

It is very simple to learn that even one month is less for Paris.
Still we have to find out ways in given time.May be something more next time!!!

Probably will stay at Mije-somewhere.

One day at Louvre, one at Versailles and One probably city tour-half day including 3rd flr Eifill ? shopping-not the branded shops.
My daughter is interested in Disney as well.
Any refreshing idea?
Thanks for the help.
Kamleshrut.

We will be in Paris in Mid May. That is for sure.

You want to do day tours and then evening tours too? You don't have much time in Paris and will have to cut out one day tour for Disney. so you could do Disney one day and then take a night tour that same day.

I suggest not getting too caught up in trying to see too much on this trip. Good idea to save some for the next trip. I think you should talk it over with your family and see what the most important places are for you and what can be saved for another time.