Chez Michou
Think nightlife in Paris and many people will think of the Lido, the Crazy Horse Saloon, or the Moulin Rouge, but if you’re looking for somewhere to laugh and have fun, and is a little outside the norm, then Michou’s is the place to go.
Michou who’s been an entertainer for years, started his cabaret in the 60’s and is still the director of his show. Quite the character, Michou is always dressed in blue; his large spectacles are no exception.
The stage is rather small, but the entertainment by a bevy of transvestite performers is anything but. As the lights go down and the show begins, you get not one show biz superstar for the evening, but a whole range of divas hailing from the past up to the present day. If you’re like me, some of the performances by the impersonators will have you doing a double take wondering if they’re not the real deal!
The cabaret is located at the bottom of Montmartre near Pigalle. Dinner begins at 20h30 with a show following. The menu is quite good at 99 € which includes a half bottle of wine. Tax and service are included in the price. (Try their Pear Charlotte!)
You can makes reservations, but don’t forget, the cabaret like many other places in Paris are closed during part of the summer. (The French do not play around when it comes to being on holiday! *)
Cabaret Michou
80 Rue des Martyrs
Paris 18
Tel: 01.46.06.16.04
M° Pigalle
(* Closed from the 15th of July until the 15th of August.
Photo Credits: Flickr
3 Comments
I have been to Chez Michou twice in my life.
Once in 1991 and once in 2001.
I’m planning on being there again this december.
The experience of Chez Michou is absolutely
one you must have before you die. It’s actually under priced for what you get. One
should begin their experience in Paris with Chez Michou and then anything else you do is gravy.
It’s better than any drug and it lasts much longer.
The place very effectively puts you in an inescapable transe which remains with you forever.
On a strictly technical level, the performers are flawless. You really believe what you see and hear.
The food was absolutely on par with any comparably priced restaurant, by the way. It wasn’t “cabaret food” if you know what I mean.
I have been to Paris many times and have made the rounds. Having grown up in the restaurant business myself, I would recommend Chez Michou
on the food alone. I give Chez Michou a
standing ovation on all counts! To quote a famous
line from “The Producers”, “When ya got it, flaunt it!”
Thanks Henri, I couldn’t have said it better! As a matter of fact, it’s very much a place that other performers from other cabarets go to when they get off work in an “everyone sort of knows everyone” kind of atmosphere, which just adds to the charm!
I don’t know what kind of entertainment will be done by him.