- August 30, 2019
- Parisian theatre
- Jocelyn Wensjoe
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Blog last updated on the 5 August 2025.
Why is the Crazy Horse Paris so famous?
Not only are their songs catchy enough to stay stuck in your head for a week after attending one of their shows, but you can take it from us, the Crazy Horse has some seriously jaw-dropping acts! The show may be 90 minutes long, but the spectacle is so dazzling, it feels as though it’s passed by in the space of a second, and you’ll find yourself pleading with your watch to move more slowly. Read on for a brief history of the one and only Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris, and why tickets to see the dancers have become veritable gold dust!
History Breakdown of Crazy Horse Cabaret
Conveniently located near Champs-Élysées, Le Crazy Horse first opened its doors in 1951. With decades to hone its art, no wonder the venue now has such a flawless reputation. Founder, Alain Bernardin had a vision of exhibiting the beauty of a woman’s body, in such a way that was not so much “sexual” as “sensual”. He combined the form of striptease with a dash of elegance, displaying a nude performance that did away with vulgarity, but was nevertheless still suggestive. As the club started to gain recognition, spectators from all over the world journeyed to Paris just to see what all the fuss was about; they returned, confirming that the show was definitely worth the travel! This family-run business began inviting major guest stars in 2005, such as Dita Von Teese, Pamela Anderson, Conchita Wurst, and more.
Garnished in Red
Glamorous from head to toe, the Crazy Horse Cabaret has high-end decoration from top to toe, beginning with the iconic big-red-lips figure in the entrance, and its bright red lights adorning the building from top to bottom. The club looks even more mesmerizing from within with its soft, silky couches - all of them red, of course! We assure you from experience that every seat in the house gives a fantastic view of the stage, the auditorium itself housing a cozy 350. Although add-ons like their famous house champagne aren’t included in standard ticket prices, for a special occasion such as this, it’s surely worth splashing out!
A Seductive Cabaret Show
What makes the performances different from any other cabaret performances are the visual light effects that dress the nude dancers in lingerie, cocktail dresses, and seductive patterns such as voluptuous stripes or sexy leopard spots giving the audience the illusion that the dancer is clothed… though the reality may be just a little bit different… From the songs to the dances, absolutely everything will give you a buzz! After the performances have drawn to a close, it’s not uncommon for the rapturous applause to go on for minutes, although no one would dare utter a word during the routines, as they are far too entranced. The show opens with a song that you’ll be humming on your way home, entitled, “God Save Our Bareskin”, in which the dancers are dressed as British Royal Guards in their bear skins, and nothing else (get it?).
Other routines include the breathtaking number, “I Am a Good Girl”, a dance which demonstrates the utmost flexibility and sensuality, and the feisty routine, “Striptease Moi”, which may cause a little condensation on some surfaces due to the audience’s heavy breathing…! However, the girls aren’t the only performers on the bill: you’ll also get to enjoy the talented tap dancing twins from Ukraine, Roman and Slava, who send the audience’s applause into overtime with their musical medley, ranging from classical to contemporary music.
What it Takes to be a Crazy Horse Dancer
From their coordination to their sensual outfits, and their hard-to-miss physique, these women work incredibly hard to put on an amazing performance. The girls featured in the show go through a very selective process, where they must have a background in dance, and be very confident as well as charismatic, but of course, casting directors must also consider the fact that the women have to perform twice a day for five or six nights a week; they must therefore have impeccable stamina and energy. Once selected, the dancers undergo 3 to 5 months of intensive rehearsing before first setting foot on that coveted stage – I’m not sure I’ve got the energy for that, personally! Fun fact: each dancer has their own stage name bestowed upon them after their very first performance.
Photo property of wifflegif ©
Fit for a Queen… Queen B, That is
This contemporary cabaret is a real hotspot for celebrity visits - recent clientele include Katy Perry, Johnny Depp, Celine Dion, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. However, one particular patron took an especial interest in the performance style, and incorporated it into one of her music videos. Any ideas who? Only the biggest star of them all, Beyoncé! After attending a Crazy Horse performance, Queen Bey was inspired to make her “Partition” music video based on what she had observed. She was fascinated by the choreography, and in particular, took from the routine known as “Blush of Desire” - you may well remember the scene in the video where only Beyoncé’s silhouette is visible, as she sensually dances on a couch. Beyoncé was also inspired by the Crazy Horse’s light effects, and used the projection technique to give the effect of her being clad in leopard spots. What an icon!
Don’t Get Caught Unprepared
We wouldn’t be surprised if you were a little unsure as to what to wear to an evening at Le Crazy Horse. After all, on approaching the entrance, you may cross paths with some seriously well-dressed patrons. We suggest dressing classily - there’s no need for a top hat and tails, but a little bit of glam should do the trick. We’d ask you to avoid sneakers, however. The golden rule of your evening at the Crazy Horse, is that you absolutely must not take photos. We also recommend that you arrive around 30 minutes before the curtain rises, and host, Laurie Hagen, will warm you right up so that you’re tickled pink with laughter by the time the girls take their starting positions!
We hope you enjoy the show as much as we did!
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A Gift They’ll Never Forget!
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