Go behind the scenes at Cirque d'Hiver with a guided tour, once a month.

Have you ever attended a Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione show and wondered how such a circus could be created in the heart of Paris? Now you've got the chance to find out by going backstage at the world's oldest circus! The building alone is intriguing: a circus in the heart of the 11th arrondissement, but how?

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You need to see one of the annual shows to know: Cirque d'Hiver is more or less the size of a big top as used by nomad circuses, with the difference that it's not mobile. The building was erected in 1852, and the circus was initially called "Cirque Napoléon", passing through several hands before finally being acquired by the Bouglione family in 1934. Since then, generations have succeeded one another, and the sixth generation is now at the helm of the circus.

The guided tour takes you behind the scenes of the prestigious Cirque d'Hiver, in all its little nooks and crannies, giving you a chance to see the ring up close! The tour is recommended for families, provided children are over 10, and takes place once a month, on the first Saturday morning, with one or more slots available. Ready to immerse yourself in the history of Cirque d'Hiver?

For the moment, the Bouglione family's personal museum is not yet accessible, but this may change in the future, so that the general public can have access to previously unseen objects, rare costumes, photos, period posters... enough to bring decades of circus history to life.

Cirque d'Hiver de Paris, one of Europe's oldest circuses
Located near Filles du Calvaires, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, the Cirque d'Hiver is a historic venue with neo-classical architecture. One of the oldest permanent circuses in Europe, it continues to showcase the circus arts to the delight of families. [Read more]