Paris Burlesque Festival Arts Festival / Burlesque Show Every year in October

Paris is a city with a reputation for celebrated sensuality. From the Moulin Rouge to the writings of Rimbaud, the City of Light has served as both host and inspiration for French erotic art. Since 2009, the Bellevilloise in Paris has celebrated the Parisian tradition of burlesque with the annual Paris Burlesque Festival. For a weekend in October, the best burlesque artists in the world come to perform and compete for the title and boasting rights of Miss Paris Burlesque.

Every year, the Paris Burlesque Festival adopts a theme, which inspires everything from the decorations at the Bellevilloise to the individual burlesque performances. Past themes have included The Vegas Strip, Paris, and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). With shows that explore each year’s theme through burlesque, boylesque, and new burlesque, there’s something for fans of all stripes.

Past performers at the annual Paris Burlesque Festival include iconic talent like Trixie Tassels, Miss Anne Thropy, and Michelle L’amour. In addition to the headlining burlesque acts, the Paris Burlesque Festival includes a conference on burlesque and feminism, the burlesque bazaar featuring burlesque crafts and gear, and a themed art exhibition.

Tickets to the Paris Burlesque Festival start at around €11 for individual performances to around €71 for a weekend pass. After the performances, try your hand at gracing the stage with master classes and workshops offered by L’Ecole des Filles de Joie throughout the weekend. Or keep the celebration going at the themed club nights after the shows at the Bellevilloise.