Place Pigalle

Pigalle is the most frivolous neighborhood in Paris and at the same time the main provider of sexual entertainment for the capital’s residents and visitors. A haven of French bohemia, a place sung by more than one generation of chansonniers, a small island of voluptuousness, in whose numerous cabarets not only the respectable Parisian bourgeoisie, but also the crown princes were not shy to look in – this was the neighborhood at the beginning of the XX century. Today’s Pigalle has somewhat changed its “profile”, turning into a classic “red light district” with its invariable sex shops, underground brothels and strip clubs, scattered along the streets of the lower part of Montmartre, on the border area between the 18th and 19th arrondissements.

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Video: Pigalle

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History of the Pigalle neighborhood

The alleys around Place Pigalle have been lined with brothels of all kinds ever since Parisians frightened by rising prices began to move from the center of the capital to its outskirts, in particular to the Montmartre hill. By the end of the 19th century, attracted by low rents, the ever-free and ever-hungry Parisian bohemians flocked to Montmartre.

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Having settled the most slum corners of the 18th arrondissement, poor artists and poets immediately began to seek creative inspiration in local brothels and variety shows, where for a couple or three francs you could choose a “muse” for any taste. At different times, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh took advantage of this pleasant opportunity. And the legendary Toulouse-Lautrec even set up his own studio in the quarter, where he painted from life local representatives of the oldest profession, in between looking in Pigalle cabarets. Boozed in local taverns and Henry Miller, who later depicted his erotic walks in Montmartre brothels in the scandalous novel “Tropic of Cancer. And back in the early 30s of the last century, one could often meet the famous Parisian “sparrow” – Edith Piaf – on Place Pigalle. Then still unknown to the general public, the singer made a living by singing her sad songs for passers-by.

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Pigalle: our days

Paradoxically, the Pigalle neighborhood’s tarnished reputation has always been its best advertisement. The neighborhood doesn’t suffer from a lack of attention these days: every day a string of tourist buses roll up to the foot of the hill, letting out of their doors crowds of adventurers laden with photographic equipment, and so 365 days a year.

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If you went to Montmartre to repeat the route of the great Toulouse-Lautrec and go around all the hot spots between Place Pigalle and Boulevard Clichy, get ready for serious spending – their labor Parisian dancers and priestesses of love are not cheap.

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The iconic place of the quarter, whose name has long been a symbol of the Belle Epoque, carefree life and quality striptease, is the cabaret “Moulin Rouge”. Here are the most beautiful girls, the best show programs and appropriate prices. It was on the stage of the “Red Mill” that once danced the legend of cancan, the smashing Alsatian La Goulou. The cheapest ticket to the cabaret, which includes watching a dance number and a treat in the form of a glass of champagne, will lighten the viewer’s wallet by 102 euros. And don’t forget, despite the reputation of the neighborhood itself, “Moulin Rouge” has strict morals: you can only look at the girls here, for everything else there are appropriate establishments.

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In the past, the main competitor of the “Red Mill” bar-variette “Chat Noir” (“Black Cat”) has long ceased to exist. Now this name belongs to a nice tourist restaurant located next to the “Moulin Rouge”. The same fate befell the Museum of Erotica on Boulevard Clichy. Due to low attendance, the institution was closed, and the museum exhibits were auctioned off to collectors.

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Another colorful attraction of the Pigalle quarter is Europe’s largest sex shop “Sexodrome”. The establishment has an expanded profile, so it boasts its own gallery of erotic art, as well as a gym and sauna. The traveler who is hungry for “strawberries” will be glad to sell a ticket for a hot peep-show, and the shyest will be given a separate booth for personal use, where you can relax while watching a XXX movie. Recently, the Sexodrome has been gaining popularity among Parisian transvestites.

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Safety

The Pigalle district can be called a victim of stereotypes, as among tourists it has long and firmly established the status of a “dark” place, where it is better not to go unaccompanied. In fact, the “red light district” is no more dangerous than other parts of the city, the main thing is to understand its specifics correctly. And of course, you have to accept the fact that the callers of local strip bars almost always play by the rules, so don’t fall for gentle entreaties to come in “just to look at the girls and drink a free cocktail”. They do let you inside “just for fun”, but you’ll have to lay out the entire contents of your pockets and wallet to get out of the place. Do not enter into polemics and with immigrants from the East, in recent years flooded the French capital.

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Typical inhabitants of the Pigalle district are “night butterflies”, charismatic clochards and personalities of marginal type, so, for obvious reasons, representatives of the fair half, going to walk in this part of Montmartre, it is better to avoid overly frank outfits. By the way, in France, the priestesses of love are officially forbidden to impose their services, so passers-by are not grabbed by the hands, except for a transparent hint about their willingness to brighten the evening. Otherwise, the Parisian “abode of lust and debauchery” is known as a relatively calm and peaceful, although frankly obscene place.

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Shopping

Contrary to the cliché, it’s not just love that you can buy in the Red Light District. Yes, most of Pigalle’s outlets have an 18+ age limit, but there are also some decent shops. In particular, the southern part of the neighborhood is known as a good music store. And one more thing: the classic souvenirs that tourists are so hungry for can be bought here for much cheaper than, for example, at the Eiffel Tower or in the Trocadero.

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How to get there

To get to Paris’ most fun and scandalous neighborhood, take the metro to Pigalle station. An option for those who have already made it to Montmartre Hill is the monmartre bus, whose terminus is at Place Pigalle.

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