Moulin Rouge Paris — Show Tickets, Dinner Packages & Visitor Guide

The Moulin Rouge is one of those Paris experiences that lives up to the hype. Whether you go for the show alone with a glass of champagne in hand, or splurge on the full dinner-and-show package, an evening at the world’s most famous cabaret is unforgettable. This guide covers everything: ticket options, prices, show times, what to wear, and insider tips that help you get the most out of your night.

What Is the Moulin Rouge?

The Moulin Rouge — in French literally means “Red Mill” — is far more than a tourist attraction. It’s a living piece of French culture and history that has sat at the heart of Montmartre’s bohemian nightlife since its founding in 1889. The iconic red windmill on the Boulevard de Clichy has welcomed artists, aristocrats, and adventurers for over 130 years.

The venue was born during Paris’s Belle Époque, an era of optimism, artistic explosion, and social liberation. Painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec immortalized its performers on canvas, and names like La Goulue and Jane Avril became international stars. The French Cancan — that high-kicking, skirt-swirling dance that still closes every show — was invented here.

Today, the Moulin Rouge presents its legendary revue show “Féerie” — a spectacular production featuring 100 performers (including the famous dancers the Doriss Girls), over 1,000 costumes, elaborate sets, acrobats, magicians, ventriloquists, and yes, the Cancan. The show has been running in various forms for decades and is produced to the highest international standard.

For American visitors who have seen the show in movies and art, it’s one of the rare Paris experiences where the reality genuinely matches the postcard.

How to Experience the Moulin Rouge Without Surprises

A little preparation is essential when visiting the Moulin Rouge. Tickets are non-refundable and the dress code is strictly enforced at the door.

🎭 Choose Your Show Time

There are two show times each night: 9pm and 11pm. The 9pm show is more popular and slightly more expensive — it’s the one we recommend for a first visit, especially if you’re combining it with dinner. The 11pm show is typically cheaper, and if you’re a night owl or just want the cabaret experience without dinner, it’s a solid choice. Whichever show you pick – keep in mind doors open an hour before showtime.

🥂 Show + Champagne vs. Dinner Show — Which Is Right for You?

This is the most common question, and the honest answer depends on your priorities:

• Show + Champagne is the classic option. You arrive, you’re shown to your seat, you’re poured a glass of champagne, and the curtain rises. It’s the most affordable way to experience the full Féerie show, and most people leave completely satisfied. Recommended for: couples, anyone on a tighter budget, travelers who’ve already eaten dinner elsewhere in Montmartre.
• Dinner + Show is the full Parisian evening. You arrive at 7pm for a multi-course meal in the iconic dining room — closer to the stage than regular seats — with live music from the orchestra, then the full show at 9pm. The food has received mixed reviews over the years (the show is the star, not the kitchen), but chef Arnaud Demerville has raised the standard noticeably in recent years. The experience is worth it for a special occasion: anniversaries, milestone birthdays, proposals.

👗 The Dress Code (Take This Seriously)

The Moulin Rouge enforces its dress code at the door, and they will turn you away. This is not a suggestion — it’s a condition of entry.

🚇 Getting There

The Moulin Rouge is on Boulevard de Clichy in Montmartre, directly opposite the Blanche metro station (Line 2). It is very easy to reach from central Paris. The metro exit is directly across from the venue door – less than 1 minute walk. We recommend the metro over taxi for the journey there – as it avoid hassles of calling a taxi and evening traffic. For your return we recommend getting a cab. Taxis queue opposite the venue after the 9pm show ends, so grabbing one for the return is straightforward.

Moulin Rouge Ticket Options & Prices

Prices at the Moulin Rouge vary by date and demand — the venue actively adjusts pricing based on availability, so what you see today may be different tomorrow. The prices below are approximate reference figures.

Combine the Moulin Rouge with Other Paris Experiences

One smart way to make the most of your Paris evening is to pair the Moulin Rouge with another iconic experience. Several operators offer bundled packages that can represent good value and save you the hassle of separate bookings.

Moulin Rouge + Seine River Cruise

Start your evening with a cruise along the Seine past the illuminated Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame, then head up to Montmartre for the 9pm show. This is one of the most-booked Paris evening packages and for good reason — it covers two iconic Paris experiences in one seamlessly organized evening. Tiqets offers this combination with a 5% discount over booking separately.

Moulin Rouge + Eiffel Tower

Some combo packages include a visit to the Eiffel Tower (with access to the summit or second floor), a Seine cruise, and Moulin Rouge tickets — all in a single booking. Ideal for first-timers who want to check off several Paris bucket list items in one evening without the planning stress.

What to Expect at the Moulin Rouge Show

The current Moulin Rouge revue is called “Féerie” (meaning “magic” or “enchantment” in French), and the name is well-earned. Here’s what you’ll actually experience during the roughly 105-minute show:

The Performers

The cast features around 100 performers in total, including the 60 Doriss Girls — international dancers recruited from across the world who go through an intensive audition and training process. The lineup also includes acrobats, magicians, ventriloquists, and specialty acts that change periodically. The production values are genuinely world-class.

The French Cancan

This is the moment every audience waits for. The high-kicking, skirt-flying finale that closes the Féerie show never fails to bring the house down — even if you’ve seen clips online, experiencing it live with the full orchestra playing at full volume and the whole room on its feet is something else. Toulouse-Lautrec painted it over a century ago, and the magic the show is named for hits the same as it does in the painting.

The Costumes

Over 1,000 costumes are used in the production, many adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals, elaborate feathered headdresses, and rhinestone-encrusted pieces that weigh several kilograms each. The costume department is one of the most sophisticated in the entertainment world.

❌ 📸 No Photography During the Show

This rule is strictly enforced by staff — phones and cameras need to be put away when the curtain rises. You can take photos of the exterior and lobby before the show (the venue is very photogenic). Professional souvenir photographers are on hand if you want a memento. Respect the no-photo rule: the performers’ contracts and the immersive experience depend on it.

Colleen & Antoine’s Take on the Moulin Rouge

Plan Your Full Montmartre Evening

The Moulin Rouge sits in the heart of Montmartre — one of Paris’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. If you arrive early (which we recommend) – you have the perfect excuse to spend an hour or two exploring before the show.

Before the Show: Explore Montmartre

Walk up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for the best free panoramic view of Paris — especially beautiful at sunset. Wander through the village-like streets of the butte, duck into a wine bar or bistro on the Rue Lepic or Place du Tertre, and soak in the neighborhood that gave the world Picasso, Monet, and the Cancan. The vibe is completely different from central Paris, and it’s one of the most charming parts of the city.

After the Show: Late-Night Paris

The area around Pigalle and Blanche is one of the few Paris neighborhoods that genuinely comes alive late. After the show (especially the 9pm one which ends around 11pm), you have plenty of options: a nightcap at one of the brasseries on Boulevard de Clichy, a late-night walk through Montmartre’s quieter back streets, or a taxi to the Seine for a night-time view of the illuminated city.