Folies Bergère
Paris’s legendary cabaret music hall, where Belle Époque excess met theatrical innovation and Josephine Baker made history.
At a glance
The Folies Bergère is a cabaret music hall located at 32 Rue Richer in the 9th Arrondissement. Built as an opera house by architect Plumeret, it opened on 2 May 1869 under the name Folies Trévise. The venue took its current name on 13 September 1872, after the nearby Rue Bergère.
History
Designed as an opera house, the Folies Trévise launched with light entertainment spanning operettas, comic operas, popular songs, and gymnastics. The venue reached the height of its fame and popularity from the 1890s through the 1920s—the Belle Époque and Jazz Age—when it became synonymous with Parisian nightlife and theatrical spectacle.
In 1926, African-American expatriate Josephine Baker performed here in a costume of jewelry and a “bikini bottom” with rubber bananas, creating an international sensation that cemented the venue’s cultural significance. The Folies Bergère remains in operation and continues as a powerful symbol of French and Parisian entertainment.
What you see
The Folies Bergère is celebrated for revues featuring extravagant costumes, elaborate sets, and striking visual effects. The venue’s design as a music hall prioritized sightlines and grandeur suitable for the spectacular productions staged within its walls.
Cultural significance
The Folies Bergère epitomizes Belle Époque excess and remains an icon of Parisian culture. Its role in showcasing Josephine Baker—an African-American performer who faced discrimination in the United States—made it a landmark venue for the internationalization of entertainment and the celebration of Black artistry in Europe during the interwar period.
Key facts
- Country: France
- City: 9th arrondissement of Paris
- Coordinates: 48.8742, 2.3449
- Opened: 2 May 1869 (as Folies Trévise)
- Renamed: 13 September 1872
- Architect: Plumeret
- Métro: Cadet and Grands Boulevards stations
Practical information & getting there
The Folies Bergère is situated at 32 Rue Richer in the 9th Arrondissement. Access via métro stations Cadet or Grands Boulevards. The venue remains an operating cabaret and theatre; check official sources for current performance schedules and visit details.
Sources & resources
- Folies Bergère — Wikipedia
- Cultural Heritage Online
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.