Cirque d’Hiver

Approaching the Cirque d’Hiver (Winter Circus) after dark is a breath-taking experience!  The building dates to 1852 and is the world’s oldest circus building still in use.  It was built so that the Cirque d’Été (Summer Circus) which took place every summer under a canvas tent in Paris would have a winter home. If you’ve been to the Musée d’Orsay then you’ve most likely seen Toulouse-Lautrec’s take on the bareback rider routine that took place in Cirque d’Hiver during this time period.

The building itself is beautiful but at night is just spectacular.

The Building Itself

Believe it or not, this beautiful building with its massive Corinthian columns was actually built for the circus. It is not a repurposed building —- but at first encounter that is exactly what I thought. Look at the columns and the figures on horseback. They are absolutely incredible. This building is a 20-sided polygon and there is a column where each of the sides meet. (Just in case you’re interested, a 20-sided polygon is an icosagon. )

Just as incredible as the fact that in 1860 history was made when the first flying trapeze act premiered. I would have loved to have seen that. According to their official website, there was even an indoor pool here in 1933.

Plaque over the main entrance

The Opening

When the Cirque d’Hiver opened it was named Cirque de Napoleon, paying homage to Napolean III. However, the name changed to Cirque National in 1870 after Napoleon was deposed in the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1873 the name was again changed, this time to Cirque d’Hiver. Between this point and  1934 the  was building was used as a theatre, then a movie theatre before it finally returned to being a circus venue. In 1934 it became Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione when the four Bouglione brothers purchased it. Today it is still owned by their heirs and used as a circus. However, the buiding is also used for other social and political meetings and even wrestling matches.

The Frieze

In the frieze that circumscribes the building, we can see the creation of the horse by Neptune, and Minerva training the horse. There are also two equestrian/warrior statues that are on either side of the main door.

Each column intersecting the frieze designates on side of the icosagon.

When to Go

The Circus performs beginning in mid-October every year so we missed the season by one week! However, Youtube is a wonderful resource and the Cirque d’Hiver website  has a link to their videos on Youtube.  I found a trapeze act that I particularly enjoyed.

Directions Cirque d’Hiver

110 rue Amelot
Paris 75011

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