Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comParis by Night Illuminations Tour and Paris Moulin Rouge Show
based on 191 reviews of Paris by Night Illuminations Tour and Paris Moulin Rouge Show
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Paris by Night Illuminations Tour and Paris Moulin Rouge Show. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Paris is not very well lit up, although that's not Viator's problem. We were seeing a lot of things that we had already seen during the day, so a lift to and from the theatre plus the ticket would have been adequate, and this part was well organised. The new Moulin Rouge show was not very sophisticated - End of the Pier Show at Cromer without clothes. The finale with cancan was great, and the separate acts were clever, but the Lido was obviously a more adult show.
Reviewed by: Gillian R, United Kingdom, October 2008
Overall an enjoyable night. The night tour of Paris was stunning and the audio narration made it even more entertaining. The Moulin Rouge show was good and lasted about 1 hour 45 minutes with no interval, which would have been welcome for toilet breaks and to have chance to look around the souvenir shop which was not possible afterwards as the tour company only gave us 20 minutes to get back to the coach from when the show ended, which included queuing for coats and cameras that had to be left at the door! Show was very polished but was expecting it to be more darker, exciting and faster like in the Moulin Rouge film! Glad to have done it but unlikely to do the Moulin Rouge again, especially for the cost of the entrance fee! See the Funny Girls show in Blackpool instead. Much funnier, 10 times better choreography and far far cheaper!
Reviewed by: Kevin R, United Kingdom, September 2008
We enjoyed the tour of the illuminations and also the Moulin Rouge, but the show could have been so much better had we not been squeezed into the very back corner of the large seating area. It was so crowded and so tight that even getting to the WC was impossible. The thought of a fire breaking out in that confined and constricted area is scary.
Reviewed by: David V, Thailand, September 2008
Since it was summer the first show was unavailable and we ended up watching the 11pm show that ended at 1 in the morning. We were jet lagged so ended up sleeping through the show. The show itself was mediocre but I loved the intermission numbers more. Some say the Lido show was better.
Reviewed by: Marianne C, Philippines, August 2008
With some of the roads being closed, it was not as good as it could have been.
Reviewed by: Shaun L, South Africa, July 2008
The Illuminations tour was a disappointment mostly because it wasn't dark!!! The Moulin Rouge show was average--those in London, Las Vegas, and New York are better performed. The venue was dated and poorly maintained. The seats through Viator were the worst in the house! My recommendation is to book the tickets through the box office and forget the bus tour!
Reviewed by: C M, Ireland, July 2008
The Moulin Rouge Show was wonderful, however, we were disappointed in the Illuminations Tour. We were informed as the tour began that the date we booked was one of the longest daylight days of the summer, so the sights were not illuminated during the entire time of our tour. If we had been aware of this earlier, we could have taken the regular Paris tour during the daytime, and gone to an earlier Moulin Rouge show.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States, June 2008
The Paris illuminations Tour and Moulin Rouge Show was worth it. Especially if you are doing it on your first night in Paris. We just had to queue outside for almost an hour to get to the show. It was good that the rain stopped that night so I was wondering if everybody would have ended up soaking wet. The show was nice but the seating was very packed as in 6 of us were crammed in that small table and you would have to stretch once in a while so as to avoid stiff neck.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United Arab Emirates, June 2008
11pm show was too late and had to wait for previous show to finish in the rain. Show was good but service and comfort in theater was terrible. Too many people and no order, terrible seating as well. One bus to take everyone home took over an hour it would have been quicker to walk or pay the 10 euro for a cab.
Reviewed by: Mathew P, Australia, May 2008
The show was excellent; however, we were not informed of a change of show time to the 11pm show until we were on the bus. The riverboat tour was cancelled due to high water levels, and we we given tickets for the boat tour that apparently are valid for 2 years! We were offloaded from the bus following the bus tour at 10pm at the Eiffel Tower to find ourselves a drink. It was bitter cold, and my friend, who was 5 months pregnant, was very tired by this time. Please note also that the dress code stipulated on the booking form is not rigidly adhered to. I would recommend that both male and female visitors to the Moulin Rouge show dress smartly but not necessarily formally, as you may feel a bit overdressed. Despite all, the show was well worth seeing, but the arrangements could have been better. Please note that the return coach to your hotel may not take right to the hotel as some Parisian streets are too narrow to allow coaches. This is definitely a consideration if you are at the late show.
Reviewed by: Hazel M, United Kingdom, April 2008
We went to the late show and the city and boat tour were excellent. However, we had to queue until 11:45 p.m. and then by the time we were seated it was so late. The costumes were fantastic but the show is overrated.
Reviewed by: Keith S, United Kingdom, April 2008
This was the number 1 recommended tour on your site. It was too cold for the boat ride and the Moulin Rouge show was mostly cheesy. The tour guide was good though.
Reviewed by: Kerry W, United States, April 2008
Everything worked out well. However, we were one of the unlucky ones who thought we had booked for a 9.00pm show with the Paris Illuminations first. After a lengthy loading of the bus the tour got under way at 7.30pm for the Illuminations. However, instead of the Moulin Rouge Show at 9.00pm we were then taken on a River Cruise and did not get into the show until 11.00pm. Having traveled all day, by the time we got to the show we were too tired to enjoy in the very crowded and very hot venue, where we felt like cattle being herded. Sadly to say, because of tiredness the show did not get the full justice it deserved. However, don't let that put you off doing it, just be aware that you may not get into the show until 11.00pm and you may have to sit on the bus listening to people whining around you.
Reviewed by: Paul M, Australia, March 2008
We enjoyed ourselves, but it wasn't spectacular. The bus tour isn't very special, they don't make any stops which is a shame. It is impossible to make decent photos from a moving bus! The Moulin Rouge show is fun, we didn't care much for the topless dancing, but the acts and singing in between were amusing. Service from Viator is excellent, we went to the second show and got a free boat tour. When your hotel is not in Paris they don't drop you off at your hotel, but there are cabs nearby the Moulin Rouge.
Reviewed by: Denise A, Netherlands, February 2008
The trip seemed a little disorganized. There was no time to get off the bus anywhere to take pictures, and at some points you could not see some sights if you were on the wrong side of the bus. The tour guide was friendly. We were told we would see some of the sights more closely later and this didn't happen.
Reviewed by: Tina L, Australia, January 2008
