French Tips to Survive the Moulin Rouge
Just because Parisians avoid it doesn’t mean it’s not worth the visit.
While most Parisian natives stay far away from the Moulin Rouge (mostly because it's located in the 'Boulevarde de Clichy' (a commonplace for the sex trade)), it is a very sought after spot by tourists. To shed some light on the topic, we wanted to take a trip on the wild side & send you a few tips to survive the Moulin Rouge from a native French perspective. We hope you enjoy!
Approaching 'Le Moulin'
You will definitely want to watch your belongings while strolling through the Boulevarde de Clichy. Used heroin needles, sloppy newspapers, and prostitutes roam these streets, but look up towards the sky and all of that seems to disappear as you see the bright red lights and spinning windmill of the Moulin Rouge. The staff at this spectacle tend to wear a chip on their shoulder, so it is best to buy tickets ahead of time. If you happen to arrive without a ticket, you should know that performances are usually held at 7PM, 9PM, and 11PM and it's best to arrive 30minutes prior. Also take note that the tickets are around 115€ for regular seats and about 200€ for VIP seats (which include champagne, macarons & more). When you arrive, try ordering your ticket en Français with 'Une entrée pour le spectacle de ce soir, s'il vous plaît' ('1 ticket for tonight's show please'). You can follow up with 'Le Spectacle dure combien de temps?' ('How long is the performance'). We would recommend paying a few extra euros and grabbing the seats with the champagne.
Getting In
Once you are ready to usher through the crowds and into Toulouse Lautrec's favorite playground, you will be taken to your seats. At this point, most people grab their iphones and try snapping a quick photo of the venue. However, the ushers are on high alert for this as photos & video are strictly prohibited. You will hear this phrase constantly 'Les photos ne sont pas autorisées' ('No photos allowed'), at which you can kindly respond 'Désolé! Je ne savais pas" (Sorry, I didn't know).
The Show
If you are the type of person who enjoys contemporary, avant-garde performances then this might not be the show for you. During its heyday, the show was an arousing display of topless women and dazzling costumes that were innovative. For today's standard, this show is more of a mediocre Broadway, than a flashy modern dance. In any case, you will enjoy seeing what brought some of the most famous paintings in art history to life through the live performances that inspired Toulouse Lautrec. Just take note of the amount of 'foreigners' you see dancing on stage during the performance. If you are expecting a cabaret-style line up of Parisian talent, you might be slightly surprised by the majority of Eastern European performers.
After
As discussed, the area just outside the Moulin Rouge has some safety concerns. It's best to head directly to a cozy bar in Montmartre, such as the 'Chez Ammad' (formerly 'The Grand Hôtel de Clairmont'). At this point, you can grab a martini with a friend and engage in one of France's favorite activities, 'la critique.' Common phrases might include 'Qu'est-ce que tu as pensé des costumes ?' ('What did you think of the costumes?') 'Tu as aimé les chansons ?' ('Did you like the singing?') and "Tu as aimé ?' ('Did you enjoy it?'). In any case, you will have plenty of time to discuss as most bars stay open until 2AM or later if they have proper dispensation.
There is much to do and see around Paris and, for obvious reasons, the Moulin Rouge is one of the many landmarks to consider. Many tourists often wonder what actually goes on inside, so we hope this post offered some useful insight. Have you been to the Moulin Rouge or are considering going? Make sure to leave a comment below with your thoughts, questions or with any of your favorite tips!
How to Sip High Tea Like the French
It’s not only for the Brits! Read and learn how the French handle tea time.
I know what you must be thinking...high tea is a British thing, so why are we talking about French? The idea of afternoon tea may have become popular because of the UK, but the rest of the world has taken high tea to their own tables and have created subcultures within. France is no stranger to this 'afternoon amongst friends' ritual, so I've included some of the delightful things you might find at a French spread. Grab a napkin and enjoy How to Sip High Tea Like the French. You might find yourself drooling by the time you finish. À votre santé!
If you have ever sat down for a high tea, then you will know that hours will quickly pass before you while little trinkets, tea and snacks find themselves at your finger tips. In France this equates to such delicacies as an 'olympe' pictured below (a macaron biscuit with candied violet, strawberry and raspberry sweet jelly, violet cream and fresh raspberries). Or classic sugar-powdered Madeleines, crunchy Palmier, or soft and sweet Cannelé. Miam Miam!
Image: pastryapprentice.wordpress.com
Image: lingalog.net
Image: marthastewart.com
Image: oasisdeslones.canalblog.com
Whichever pastry finds its way to your mouth, this delightful sit-down is usually for more than just your sense of taste, it's also one for your eyes! In France, this would mean enjoying places such as The Bar Vendôme, Ritz Paris (now opened after a 2-year renovation), the world famous Angelina (known for the best chocolat chaud in Paris), or the Hôtel Daniel (featuring the highly celebrated pastry chef Sébastien Gaudard). But amongst all of these, possibly the most impressive spot for Serious tea drinkers is Mariage Frères. This shop dates back to 1854 and has a serious take on tea. With classic tea rooms, they are located at 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg and 17 place de la Madeleine. Make sure to order your cup of tea en Français when you visit: 'Je prendrai un thé noir, s'il vous plaît.' (May I please have a black tea?) and try asking for your seat with 'Est-ce que nous pourrions avoir une table pour 2, s'il vous plaît?' (May I please have a table for two?)
Image: hipshops.com
Of course, learning How to Sip High Tea Like the French would be nothing without a few glasses of French humor. However, for most Americans, French humor is often misunderstood. To shed some light on the topic, I've included a few pointers below to help guide you.
Generally, French humor is oriented towards others rather than towards the speaker. This is less nonsensical than English humor and perceived as more cruel. It is never self-deprecating, rather it is combative, fueled by ridicule and mockery and it needs a target. The French are great at teasing, which contribute (for naive foreigners) to their reputation of being rude.
The French love jokes about sex and bodily functions, which your will often hear in the most unexpected (for Americans) contexts. This would include situations such as a dinner table with well-educated people.
A frequent form of humor is to exaggerate excessively in order to illustrate something's falsehood. Being too literal comes off as plain silly for the French.
Puns are a very big part of French jokes, primarily because language is so important to their culture. Often jokes are not translatable or hard to follow unless you speak French very well. (french humor points inspired by understandfrance.org)
Whether it be the delicious pastries, the wonderful cafe environments or the conversation, the French have developed their own place in the world of high tea. Next time you take the afternoon to enjoy with friends, try it all with a French twist! Have a favorite spot your recommend for high tea in France? Don't forget to post your comments or tips below.