Paradis Latin Cabaret – One Of The Hottest Shows In Paris

"Paris is a party," Ernest Hemingway wrote and we imagine he might have been thinking about Paradis Latin when he did. Contrary to popular belief, the oldest cabaret in the Paris doesn't have a red windmill, but is located on the other side of the river, in the Latin Quarter. And, just like the Moulin Rouge, the building that houses Paradis Latin was the brainchild of Gustave Eiffel, the man who brought us the Eiffel Tower.

Napoleon Had A Hand In It

The Can-can performed at Paradis Latin

Gustave Eiffel wasn't the only famous français who played a part in the story of Paradis Latin — Napoleon Bonaparte was also involved. Let's go back in time to 1802 when Napoleon ordered a new theater to be built to replace the College Cardinal Lemoine. Being in the Latin Quarter and all, Bonaparte named it the Théâtre Latin.

By 1830, the Latin Theater was trés popular and attracted artists, poets, journalists, intellectuals, and aristocrats with regulars like Honoré de Balzac, and Alexandre Dumas. But, the good times at the Latin Theater came to an abrupt end when it was destroyed by a shell during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. It remained in ruins for 17 years.

Spend an Evening at Paradis Latin

The spectacular finale at Paradis Latin

Delight all your senses during an evening at Paradis Latin with a Michelin-level dinner and the iconic Paradis Latin cabaret. The show has been modernized — it's smart, sexy & fun — yet it retains its classic old-school Paris roots. Added bonus: the menu was created by Michelin-star chef Guy Savoy, making it the best cabaret dinner in all of Paris.

Paradis and Gustave Eiffel

An ensemble number at Paradis Latin

Fast forward to 1887, when the era called the Belle Époque was in full swing. The French economy was thriving and the bourgeoisie was in search of leisure and fun. Gustave Eiffel ran a successful company designing and building bridges and other structures our of iron. His tower was only a gleam in his eye (that would come in 1889), but Eiffel was hired to design the new theater. In between sketching his controversial tower made of iron. Paris Latin, the new cabaret made of metal was inaugurated on January 20, 1889 and it seemed all or Paris arrived to celebrate.

Alas, the good time weren't to last. With the passage of time Paradis Latin fell onto hard times and, once again, closed its doors. The Paradis was down but, as it transpired, not out.

Paradis Regained

Two dancers at Paradis Latin

For in 1973, Jean Kreigel, an ambitious real estate developer, bought the property. As the renovators tore out false walls and ceilings the original metal structure of Gustave Eiffel was revealed, including posters and relics of the original scenery. On the first floor, an astonishing cathedral with gilt columns, arches and an ornate, painted cupola was uncovered. Monsieur Kreigel made the decision to resurrect Paris history by restoring the cabaret to Eiffel's original plans.

The first show at the restored Paradis Latin cabaret was November 14, 1977. And t was a triumph!

Since then, Paradis Latin has continued to evolve and now features entertaining and slightly risqué revues that continue the tradition of the cabaret. Paradis Latin has retained its splendor with shows that are sexy, mischievous, and glamorous featuring a team of talented dancers, jugglers, and acrobats. Think Cirque de Soleil meets Moulin Rouge!

Paris Cabarets and the Belle Epoque

We can't talk about the tradition of French cabaret without giving a nod to the Belle Epoque. It was during that era (let's call it 1880 to World War I) that cabarets thrived. The economy was hot, life was peaceful, Parisians had money to spend and wanted to be entertained. On the Left Bank cabarets were bountiful in Montparnasse and the Latin Quarter. On the Right Bank, burlesque shows flourished in Pigalle and neighboring Montmartre.

Paris was in love with the carefree shows that featured dancers, singers, clowns, and other artists who thrilled audiences. Today, the spirit of the cabaret is alive and well at Paradis Latin, in the historic quartier of that gives the cabaret its name.

Paradis Latin Resources

• 28 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine
• Latin Quarter, 5th Arrondissement
• Listed as a Paris historical landmark and heritage site
• Closed Tuesdays