Moulin Rouge worth it?

i went to the moulin rouge show. glad i did it once but wouldn't do it again. i know this is a strange answer. i guess i am glad i went otherwise would have wondered if i missed something great. and i guess i am glad i went to say i have gone. but nothing spectacular. shows in vegas are more elaborate and fancier. just my opinion. sorry if that doesn't help much!

Actually, it does help! Thanks - I think we'll be passing on it and hear about it from our friends.

One thing to be aware of, which I saw on a TV program about one of the Paris "breasts and feathers" shows (can't remember if it was Moulin Rouge or another one): almost none of the dancers are French. Almost all of them are German or American. So, if you want to see German and American breasts (and feathers, too!) go for it. Also, there are ONLY tourists in the audience. Now, there aren't lots of Parisians at the Eiffel Tower either, so that in itself is not a reason to stay away. But I remember one friend who thought it was an "authentic Parisian evening out," and I had to gently explain that it hasn't been that for many decades. Personally, I can think of lots of better ways to spend +/- 100 euros. So (full disclosure) I've never been, and never intend to go. But that's me. I've actually read of some online who enjoy it (and didn't seem to be paid shills).

Let's see....two couples with dinner, that's 800€. I can think of better alternatives.

No, not worth it.

We chose not to see a show either, but we did walk by the neighborhood and take a photo of the outside just for our friends and family since we knew they'd ask about it.

Oh, come on! It's the Moulin Rouge and what difference does it make if the dancers are French or not? Will you care if the breasts you see are German or Polish? At one time "les girls" at the Moulin Rouge were all British anyway. Of course, it is "touristy". So what. So is the Tour Eiffel. When you show your friends the photos you took of the outside of the Moulin Rouge, what do you think their first question will be? And you are going to say "No, we didn't see the show." It has been a tourist destination for decades & decades .... aren't you even curious?

' .... aren't you even curious?' ....and by extension: how's about opium dens, bawdy houses, tea party meetings, and other etceteras

Thanks for all the replies! There are so many other things to do in Paris - we will definitely be passing on this. Besides, you've seen one pair of breasts you've seen them all! ;) Thoughts on a Seine river cruise? Appreciate all the posts about the delays at the Eiffel Tower as well - we purchased tickets and we will be able to go up at sunset! Never would have thought to take care of that this far ahead - thanks all!

kim a cruise is a definate must do, seeing the monuments and bridges lit up at night is pretty special, ad if you are on a budget one can just do a cruise ( about an hour) for less then 15 euros( there are several companies and no need to prebook). I am looking at doing a Calife Dinner Cruise ,, the price looks reasonable and its kind of a quirky boat.. Another fun option, one that I personally loved, was taking a Fat Tire Night Bike tour,, which includes a cruise on the Siene! No need to preboook that ,, you can just show up at foot of Eiffel Tower any evening.. check on their website for exact time, I recall it being 7 pm.

Per the official website it's 95-200€ per person. Worth it?

I'm astonished at Ed's post in which he equates the Moulin Rouge with an opium den! Do opium dens exist outside of adventure novels set in early 19th century Shanghai?

Not worth it but the area is nice to walk around.

Yes it was expensive; yes the food was mediocre. And despite all that we had a wonderful time and thought it was great fun and we have fun memories from the evening. Sat at a table with a couple from Edinburgh, Scotland and loved talking with them. I'd much rather do Moulin Rouge than Vegas any day -- hey, it's in Paris. duh!
No we wouldn't spend the money for a repeat, but we are very glad we went and had the experience once. Don't regret it a bit!

Yes, do the Seine cruise -- once you see all of the boats on the river you will want to be on one.... choose a day (or evening) with good weather if you can.

If a person feels they really want to see show, then see show, but do not bother with the dinner show,, go to the later one or the matinee.. cheaper, the dinner is going to be your poor cousins wedding banquet food at best..not worth it for sure!!!!!!!!! PS,, if you have been to Vegas and seen shows there you will be dissappointed.

If you want a pretty good cabaret, but still touristy, but no grub, but doesn't cost as much, go up on the back side of the butte to the Lapin Agile.

I have to disagree about the Seine river cruise. We did it at nighttime, and I could have done without it (Vedettes de Pont Neuf). We also did Rick's Bus #69 tour at nighttime, and that showed us the Paris lights. Instead of the river cruise, I'd just make sure to be in the Eiffel Tower area at dark to see it light up and catch the top-of-the-hour display.