What Is the Red District of Paris?
Understanding Pigalle and Its Nocturnal Identity
What is the Red District in Paris? On first sight, the red district might refer to whole Pigalle, which is between the 9th and the 13th arrondissements. That’s a big area. It’s core is located around the Pigalle Plaza and the Boulevard de Clichy. That’s mainly the Red District. There’s a worldwide icon in there that you’ve probably seen in movies, it’s called the Moulin Rouge.
What Is the Red District of Paris Famous For?
Moulin rouge is a cabaret with a big windmill icon outside. The original postcard picture you have to take mandatory-wise. Inside you’ll find a show, a can-can show with a lot of history. It’s a must-go stop for nocturnal tourism and exclusively to adults. You can also have dinner inside and experience that way the whole package.
What Is the Red District of Paris Historically Known For?
A little bit of history. It’s like a bohemian neighborhood, which slowly started turning into a prostitute zone. That mixed rapidly with the artistic life, mainly Toulouse-Lautrec made it famous. Today the origins persist and have an added modernism.
And Today?
Today it’s more like sex shops, neon, shows for adults that are not as hardcore as in Amsterdam, but in the ball park. Around those places there are a lot of bars, restaurants, hipster places. In the north part (it’s called Nopi), which is like a hardcore version of it; and in the south it’s SoPi, which is more like a trendy place where you can chill indefinitely if money isn’t an issue for you.
Who Is the Red District of Paris For?
For someone looking for a night out of the classic ones. It’s better to be there from 22pm and later, Paris is safe afther 10. Who would like to go here? If you are a tourist/traveler or if you enjoy a lot of nightlife in the cities, this is very shiny, very iconic. It’s also good for gastronomy and modern bars. It attracts people from everywhere, people that want to show off their gastronomical experiences
What are the Prostitution Laws in France?
It’s kind of complex. They don’t show off prostitution or romanticize vulnerability. It’s just related to the show. That ‘s it. Prostitution has been forbidden since 2016.
Practical Tips for Visiting Pigalle
Some practical recommendations are to get there by metro. After that, go back home with a night bus. Also, take a walk through Montmartre, which is close. It’s pretty safe if you follow the main streets.
Let's talk about safety
Is it safe? What would be the tips for the night? Avoid indiscreet cameras or pictures. They sometimes offer you and just say no. Focus also on the alleys with a lot of light. It’s not a particularly dangerous place, but in some streets, like dark streets, it can turn a little bit dangerous for pickpocketing or those kinds of things. Also, don’t take pictures yourself. Be mindful about it.
What Is the Red District of Paris Around the Moulin Rouge?
What you will exclusively find in the place around the Moulin Rouge are other cabarets, also strip clubs, sex shops, like big ones. One of them is Sexotron, which is like an icon. Also a lot of bars around boulesque or cancan or sex. That’s the theme of the neighborhood. The prices vary a lot from one another. Just try for the big ones and you’ll find a nice experience.
There’s also a little bit of bars, like nice wine bars, also restaurants, vintage stores, music, locals. It’s just this mix that looks like a neighborhood from Amsterdam between historic and hipster. Sometimes you can feel a little bit of tension between the local scene and tourists at night. But it is mainly a super nice experience. Remember to learn more about Paris night and book your ticket for our awesome Pub Crawl Paris by Mad Party Crew.