Entertainment & Arts > Circus & Marionettes
Find more family entertainment ideas in the Family Fun page of the Activities section.
The Circus
Paris is a favored destination for international circus acts, and hosts the annual Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (a show of young new circus talent from around the world) each February. Two well-known Parisian circuses include the historic Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione (110 Rue Amelot, 11th M° Filles du Calvaire Tel 01 49 29 09 78), and the Cirque Diana Moreno Bormann (112 Rue de la Haie Coq, Porte d’Auberviliers, 19th Bus 63, Tel 01 64 05 36 25, tickets €10-€30). Temporary big tops are often set up in the Parc de la Villette or the Bois de Vincennes. Check the children’s section of the Pariscope for the schedule of permanent and visiting shows.
Magic Bar
Right around the corner from the Place des Vosges, Le Double-Fond (1 Place du Marché St-Catherine, 4th M° St-Paul Tel 01 42 71 40 20) presents regular magic shows in their atmospheric stone vaulted cellar (tickets €20 adults, €15 children), or you can simply order a drink on the terrace bar (open late afternoon through midnight) and the server will perform a trick at your table.
Marionnettes & Guignols
Puppet shows, known as marionettes or guignols, have hardly evolved over the centuries, and yet remain as popular as ever with young Parisian children. There’s plenty of interaction at these shows as kids cheer for the heroes and boo at the villains in classics such as Puss in Boots and Three Musketeers. The shows are in French, but it’s not too hard for even the youngest of children to figure out what’s going on (and, for once, they can be as loud as they want).
Marionettes du Champ de Mars
On the Champ de Mars between Avenue Risler and Avenue Motte Piquet, 7th. Shows Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 3:15pm and 4:15pm . Tickets €3.
Marionettes des Champs-Elysées
Since 1818! At the Rond Point des Champs-Elysées, between Avenue Matignon and Avenue Gabriel, 8th. Shows Wednesday, Saturday-Sunday 3pm , 4pm and 5pm. Tickets €3.
Marionettes du Luxembourg
Next to the playground at the Jardin du Luxembourg. Shows Wednesday at 3:15pm and 4:30pm , Saturday-Sunday 11am , 3:15pm and 4:30pm . Tickets €4.
Please help keep this site up to date! Report outdated information and errors.
