Paris turns playtime into a cabaret show. At Paradis Latin, the oldest cabaret in Paris, the Mon Premier Cabaret family show mixes circus energy with fairy-tale style storytelling and big, colorful costumes. I also love the sheer variety: circus acts, magic, dance, singing, humour, and even cartoon-like bits, all performed by a troupe of 25 artists.

One thing to plan for: there’s a good amount of spoken patter and jokes in French, so if you don’t speak French, you may miss some of the humour. If you’re going with kids, they’ll still catch a lot from the action and timing—but adults who want every line might feel the gap a bit.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• A real family cabaret vibe inside the oldest cabaret house in Paris, designed for all ages
• 25 performers delivering dancing, singing, and disappearing/reappearing stage surprises
• Circus + magic + special effects in one show, not a patchwork of short segments
• Audience participation, including the chance for kids to go on stage and dance
• Built for visual storytelling, so you can enjoy a lot even without French

Paradis Latin: The Setting for a Family Cabaret

Paradis Latin is the kind of Paris venue that instantly gives context. It’s a cabaret hall with a classic stage look, and it clearly leans into dressing the room up for the show, not just the performers. For Mon Premier Cabaret, that matters. You’re not just watching isolated acts—you’re in a full-on theatrical world where costumes and décor work together.

Even before the first act, you can feel the difference versus a standard theatre night. This is light, playful theatre. It’s meant to be understood through movement, spectacle, and interaction, not only through dialogue.

And since this is a family show, the atmosphere is practical in the best sense. You can bring energy. Kids aren’t treated like an interruption; they’re part of the entertainment rhythm. That’s a big reason the experience works for a wide age range.

What the Mon Premier Cabaret Show Feels Like

This show is built around the idea of dream vs reality. The story you’ll follow is fairy-tale-ish, with heroes showing off costumes that are almost as much “on stage” as the mythic setting of Paradis Latin itself. Expect theatrical jumps between whimsy and spectacle—magic moments, comedic timing, dance beats, and musical bits threaded through the evening.

The show also has a nice pace for families. It doesn’t rely on one long, heavy sequence. Instead, you get an assortment of acts that keep changing the visual scene: dancing, singing, playful character bits, and stage illusions. That variety helps kids stay with it, and it helps adults feel like the evening isn’t dragging.

The big promise

You go for the circus performers and the magic. You stay for the special effects, the humour, and the musical energy. And you’ll probably notice that the performers aren’t just doing “tricks”—they’re acting, too, with a clear sense of fun.

The Afternoon Schedule: When to Arrive and What Happens Before the Show

This is an afternoon show with a clearly timed flow, which I find helpful when traveling with kids. Here’s how the timing works:

• Doors open at 1:30 PM
• 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM: artists welcome, installations, and you can purchase drinks on site
• 2:15 PM: the show begins
• 3:45 PM: the show ends

If you’re aiming for a calm start, arrive around the door-opening time. That gives you breathing room to exchange your voucher, get settled, and handle coat storage without rushing.

There’s a pre-show window that’s not “dead time.” Artists are welcoming, and the venue is set up so you’re not left staring at empty space. You can also take care of drinks early in that window, which is usually a smarter move with families.

Inside the Acts: Circus, Magic, Dance, Singing, and Special Effects

Mon Premier Cabaret is the kind of show where you feel the performers switching gears. One moment you’re watching energetic circus-style moves. Next you’re into magic and stage illusions. Then it shifts into dance and singing, followed by humour and surprising visual effects.

Circus and movement

The performers bring a high-energy physical style. You’ll see dancing that looks like it has both choreography and performance stunts behind it. That matters, because it keeps the “cabaret” part from feeling too formal. The physicality is a big part of why this works for kids: it reads clearly even when dialogue doesn’t.

Magic and appearing/disappearing

There’s a real illusion focus, including performers appearing and disappearing as part of the show’s theatrical storytelling. These moments are timed for reaction, so you’ll feel the audience’s attention sharpen.

Singing, humour, and the cartoon factor

Singing is part of the mix, and humour is built in—though the humour is often tied to French spoken dialogue. There are also cartoon-like elements, which help the show feel playful rather than dark or overly “mystical.”

Costumes as storytelling

One of my favourite parts conceptually is how costumes and stage décor reinforce the fairy-tale theme. You’re not just looking at performers in outfits; it feels like the venue is “in character” for the story. That’s a big value-add because it turns the show into something more cinematic than a sequence of separate routines.

Seats, Language, and Audience Participation: A Reality Check

This is where you should set expectations clearly.

Audience participation is real

If you’re going with kids, you’ll probably love the fact that the show includes interaction. There’s at least one highlight: children can be brought on stage for dancing for a bit. That kind of moment can turn a normal outing into a memory your child talks about later.

That said, be flexible. Audience participation is scheduled by the show’s flow, so you’ll want your kids to be ready to participate without a bunch of coaxing.

French jokes: you’ll get the show, but not every line

A common point of feedback is that there’s a lot of spoken French—jokes, banter, and dialogue-style comedy. If your French is limited, you might miss some of the humour and storytelling beats that depend on words.

The upside: the show still delivers plenty without needing to “understand every sentence.” Visual acts, musical cues, and comedic timing carry a lot of weight. In practice, you’ll still know when something is funny or surprising, even if you don’t catch every joke.

Seat category matters more than you think

One downside to watch for is seat assignment. If you book a higher category expecting the best view, don’t assume you’re guaranteed it. There’s been at least one complaint about paying more and ending up with worse seating, and when the show is fully booked, moving seats may not be possible.

My practical advice: choose your ticket category thoughtfully, and if view matters a lot for your group (especially with kids), check how the venue seats are likely arranged. If you’re unsure, pick a category that prioritizes sightlines over any “premium” marketing.

Food and Drinks on Site: What It Costs and How to Plan

Drinks aren’t included. You’ll buy them on site. That’s normal for cabarets, but the numbers matter for budgeting.

Here are the stated drink ranges:

• From 8€ per person for beer, cider, soft drinks
• From 14€ per person for champagne and other alcohol

Cloakroom fee

There’s also a cloakroom option at 2€ per piece.

So even though the ticket price covers entry, you should plan for add-ons once you’re there. With families, I like to think in totals: ticket + a coat storage fee (if you need it) + at least one drink per person.

When to buy

You can purchase drinks during the pre-show window (when doors open through the start of the show). Buying early can prevent snack-and-bar delays after the show begins. It’s also a nice way to keep kids settled before the lights go down.

Tickets, Voucher Exchange, and the Arrival Routine

Your meeting point is straightforward: exchange your voucher at the ticket counter on arrival. That means you don’t need to locate a tour guide or a complex check-in desk—you just go to the ticket counter and swap your voucher for your entry.

You’ll also want to bring ID:

• Passport or ID card

And travel-light rules matter here:

• No luggage or large bags
• No photography inside

If you’re visiting with backpacks, keep them small enough to avoid problems. The no-photo rule is a classic venue policy, so plan your memories accordingly—enjoy the show live, and don’t bank on filming.

Coat storage reality

If you have a jacket you want to keep secure, the cloakroom is available for a small fee. It’s not “free and easy,” so factor that into your comfort level.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)

This is a strong pick if:

• you want a family-friendly cabaret experience in Paris
• you like variety—circus, magic, dance, and singing in one show
• your kids enjoy audience energy and the possibility of going on stage
• you want a shorter, afternoon-format entertainment plan

It’s also a good choice if your French isn’t strong. Even with French dialogue, the show’s structure and visual storytelling help you keep up.

Think twice if:

• you’re the type who gets frustrated when humour depends on dialogue you can’t follow
• you’re booking based on seat category promises and need guaranteed best viewing
• you’re traveling with large bags and hate rules around storage

Value in Paris: Is This Worth Your Time?

Cabarets in Paris can be expensive on paper, and the “ticket only” reality is common. For Mon Premier Cabaret, the value comes from the mix: it’s not just one performer with one act. You get a full show built around multiple disciplines—circus routines, magic effects, dancing, singing, and humour—performed by a 25-person troupe.

The short show length helps, too. From doors at 1:30 PM to the end at 3:45 PM, you’re getting a complete afternoon outing without burning the whole day.

Then there’s the family-specific payoff: audience participation and the kid-friendly energy. That’s the kind of value you can’t always measure in euros, but you feel it when your child gets a stage moment.

On the cost side, remember what adds up:

• Drinks start at 8€
• Cloakroom is 2€ per piece
• Entry is ticket-only; everything else is on you

If you go in with that budget mindset, it feels like a fair deal for the entertainment density and the family-friendly format.

Quick Tips to Make It Go Smoothly

• Arrive early so you can exchange the voucher and buy drinks before the show begins.
• Keep your load light. The venue rules are strict about no luggage or large bags.
• Bring passport or ID—don’t rely on a photo on your phone.
• Assume some humour is French-language based, even though the show remains watchable without perfect French.
• If your group cares about seating, don’t treat “premium category” as a guarantee.

Should You Book Mon Premier Cabaret?

I’d book it if you want a Paris cabaret that feels genuinely family-ready. The combination of circus performers, magic, dancing, singing, and humour makes it an easier win than a more adult-coded show. And the chance for kids to dance on stage adds real emotional value.

I’d hold off if you’re very language-dependent—if you want to catch every joke word-for-word—or if your whole plan depends on a flawless seat guarantee. In that case, you’ll want to be picky about category and comfortable with the possibility that view isn’t exactly what you expected.

If you’re flexible and your priority is a fun, visually driven show in a classic Paris cabaret space, this is a solid afternoon outing.

FAQ

Where is the Mon Premier Cabaret show held?

It’s held at Paradis Latin in Paris (Ile-de-France, France).

What are the show times?

Doors open at 1:30 PM. The show begins at 2:15 PM and ends at 3:45 PM.

How long is the show?

The performance runs from 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Do I need to exchange anything on arrival?

Yes. Exchange your voucher at the ticket counter on arrival.

What is included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes entry according to the category you booked.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available for purchase on site, with prices starting from 8€ per person and 14€ per person for champagne and other alcohol.

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes. The cloakroom costs 2€ per piece.

Can I take photos inside?

No. Photography inside is not allowed.

What ID or documents should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card.

Is luggage allowed?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.