THE STORY OFParadis
From 1803 to today
For more than two centuries, the story of Paradis Latin has moved in step with the story of Paris herself. Now, the city’s oldest cabaret steps onto a new stage as Paris Paradis, its first-ever home beyond France, ready to dazzle Dubai.
1803
Napoleons's Théâtre
The year was 1802, and Napoleon Bonaparte, still two years from becoming Emperor, commissioned a theatre that would become part of Parisian legend. In 1803, the Théâtre Latin opened its doors.
It soon became the meeting spot for a mix of crowds no other theatre in Paris had seen before. Aristocrats, intellectuals, merchants, and workmen all crowded in together, along with poets as esteemed as Honoré de Balzac, Alexandre Dumas, and Prosper Mérimée.
Inside this new theatre, ideas sparked, debates roared, and the first breath of the Parisian cabaret began to take shape.
It soon became the meeting spot for a mix of crowds no other theatre in Paris had seen before. Aristocrats, intellectuals, merchants, and workmen all crowded in together, along with poets as esteemed as Honoré de Balzac, Alexandre Dumas, and Prosper Mérimée.
Inside this new theatre, ideas sparked, debates roared, and the first breath of the Parisian cabaret began to take shape.
1887
A new vision from ashes
In 1870, the Théâtre Latin was sadly destroyed by a fire in the Franco-Prussian War. Its ruins remained untouched until 1887, the year France started preparing to host the 1889 Universal Exhibition.
It would be the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, and the young republic was eager to impress visitors from around the world. So, Paris called on its best engineer to rebuild the Théâtre Latin. His name? Gustave Eiffel.
It would be the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, and the young republic was eager to impress visitors from around the world. So, Paris called on its best engineer to rebuild the Théâtre Latin. His name? Gustave Eiffel.
1889
Eiffel’s grand rebuild
On January 20, 1889, Gustave Eiffel’s theatre reopened to an adoring Paris. Its cathedral-like elegance, its perfect proportions, and the meticulous beauty of every finish made it a room that Paris was proud to behold.
Meeting the desires of a new era, the house now stepped away from traditional tragedies and comedies, embracing operettas, ballets, and delightful eccentricities instead. The old Théâtre Latin had transformed into a new kind of paradise. It became Paradis Latin.
Meeting the desires of a new era, the house now stepped away from traditional tragedies and comedies, embracing operettas, ballets, and delightful eccentricities instead. The old Théâtre Latin had transformed into a new kind of paradise. It became Paradis Latin.
1890
The first golden era
Paradis Latin quickly became the toast of Paris. Every night was a full house, and every show a sensation. From famous operettas like Scientia to ballets by André Messager, and even the debut ballets by André Messager, and even the debut of Yvette Guilbert, France’s first international star.
The theatre embraced the unexpected, staging everything from elegant dances to La Mandragore, a playful adaptation of Machiavelli that no Florentine scholar could have predicted.
But, as Parisian nightlife drifted from the Left Bank to the Right Bank in the early 20th century, the crowds faded, and Paradis Latin eventually dimmed its lights in the 1930s.
The theatre embraced the unexpected, staging everything from elegant dances to La Mandragore, a playful adaptation of Machiavelli that no Florentine scholar could have predicted.
But, as Parisian nightlife drifted from the Left Bank to the Right Bank in the early 20th century, the crowds faded, and Paradis Latin eventually dimmed its lights in the 1930s.
1973
An unexpected find
In 1973, developer Jean Kriegel purchased the abandoned building at 28 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, expecting nothing more than a routine renovation. When demolition began, they were amazed to find, hidden behind false walls, the impressive iron structure created by Eiffel himself.
More treasures soon surfaced: fragments of scenery and faded posters, including a vintage poster of Paradis Latin. Then came the moment of wonder: the original hand-painted cupola, gilded and glorious, still bearing the words “Operetta”, “Ballet”, “Pantomime”, and “Eccentricities.”
Faced with such beauty, Kriegel knew this was no place for apartments. Paradise was waiting to be revived.
More treasures soon surfaced: fragments of scenery and faded posters, including a vintage poster of Paradis Latin. Then came the moment of wonder: the original hand-painted cupola, gilded and glorious, still bearing the words “Operetta”, “Ballet”, “Pantomime”, and “Eccentricities.”
Faced with such beauty, Kriegel knew this was no place for apartments. Paradise was waiting to be revived.
1977
Paradis reborn
After nearly three years of meticulous restoration, Paradis Latin reopened its doors on November 10, 1977, more dazzling than anyone had dared to imagine.
At the helm was its new artistic director Jean-Marie Rivière, the celebrated name behind the beloved cabaret Alcazar. Four days after the grand opening, his new burlesque production, Paris Paradis, burst onto the stage with wit, poetry, and exuberance, instantly reclaiming the cabaret’s place in the city’s nightlife. Once again, Paradis Latin glittered. Alive, adored, and unmistakably Paris.
At the helm was its new artistic director Jean-Marie Rivière, the celebrated name behind the beloved cabaret Alcazar. Four days after the grand opening, his new burlesque production, Paris Paradis, burst onto the stage with wit, poetry, and exuberance, instantly reclaiming the cabaret’s place in the city’s nightlife. Once again, Paradis Latin glittered. Alive, adored, and unmistakably Paris.
1987
A decade of wonder
Through the 1980s, Christian Dura guided Paradis Latin into a vibrant new chapter, beginning with Champagne and rising to its spectacular tenth-anniversary production: Hello Paradis.
The anniversary show had everything: a boogie-woogie, a reimagined Romeo and Juliet, modern ballets, a Louisiana-inspired musical moment, a guinguette by the Marne, and, of course, a triumphant Cancan.
But the most cherished memory that evening was Line Renaud, who blew out the ten candles on Paradis Latin’s anniversary cake, then put on a touching performance of her hit song, “Feeling,” marking an unforgettable moment in the history of French music.
The anniversary show had everything: a boogie-woogie, a reimagined Romeo and Juliet, modern ballets, a Louisiana-inspired musical moment, a guinguette by the Marne, and, of course, a triumphant Cancan.
But the most cherished memory that evening was Line Renaud, who blew out the ten candles on Paradis Latin’s anniversary cake, then put on a touching performance of her hit song, “Feeling,” marking an unforgettable moment in the history of French music.
1995
A global sensation
By 1995, Paradis Latin had welcomed more than two million spectators with 6 shows and 1,600 spectacular nights. After two decades at the helm, Jean Kriegel retired, passing the cabaret into the hands of Sidney Israël and his son Harold.
Under their care, the house entered a new stretch of international reach, marked by three successful productions: Viva Paradis, Paradis d’Amour, and Paradis à la Folie. With each show, the house drew in new audiences from across the world, reaffirming its place as one of Paris’s most cherished stages.
Under their care, the house entered a new stretch of international reach, marked by three successful productions: Viva Paradis, Paradis d’Amour, and Paradis à la Folie. With each show, the house drew in new audiences from across the world, reaffirming its place as one of Paris’s most cherished stages.
2018
The legacy lives on
At the end of 2018, Walter Butler stepped in with a vision to carry the great Parisian cabaret forward. Celebrated director and choreographer Kamel Ouali was invited to imagine a new show, and in 2019, L’Oiseau Paradis stepped onto the historic stage with an international cast of 30 artists.
The house itself became transformed as well: the private box was redesigned, and tand two majestic, hand-lain mosaics, one inspired by Klimt and the other an homage to Napoleon, are now displayed as world-class works of art. Topping the experience is a new dining menu by world-renowned chef Guy Savoy, bringing the finest of French cuisine to the Parisian cabaret.
The house itself became transformed as well: the private box was redesigned, and tand two majestic, hand-lain mosaics, one inspired by Klimt and the other an homage to Napoleon, are now displayed as world-class works of art. Topping the experience is a new dining menu by world-renowned chef Guy Savoy, bringing the finest of French cuisine to the Parisian cabaret.
NOW
Bonjour Dubai!
For the first time in over 200 years, Paradis Latin is stepping beyond France. Its next chapter begins in Dubai as Paris Paradis, carrying the spirit, artistry, and unmistakable charm of Paris to a dazzling new world stage.
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