The Cirque d'Hiver Theater


A prestigious monument, Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione is the most famous and longlasting circus in the world.
In our collective and cultural memory, Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione represents, from Leotard to the show "Prestige" and through television broadcasting of "La Piste aux Etoiles", more than 150 years of performances, events, emotion and poetry.
In the 19th century, Louis Dejean, who directed the Cirque d'Eté in the Champs Elysées, chose the Boulevard du Temple, to build a second circus that became the temple of the circus arts. Jacques Ignace Hittorf, architect of Cirque d'Ete and the Gare du Nord, was chosen by Dejean. Work began April 17, 1852. It was Prince Louis-Napoleon who inaugurated, 11 December 1852, the circus which he would lend his name. Cirque Napoleon measures 42 meters in diameter, 40 windows spread over 20 wall sections, 21 chandeliers Gas, 5900 places. The inner and outer decoration was trusted upon the great sculptors and painters of the time: Pradier, Bosio, Gosse, Barrias. Franconi and Baucher are the directors of the Cirque, dedicated mainly to the equestrian art.

1859: Debut of Leotard, first "flying artist" who invented the art of flying trapeze.
1870: Cirque Napoleon becomes the National Circus and in 1873, changes its name to the Cirque d'Hiver!
1907: Electric globes illuminate the Cirque, which is the end of gas chandeliers. That same year, the theater becomes a Pathe movie theater. In 1918, with Firmin Gemier, changes the movie theater back into a circus theater.
1923: Circus reopening, after a complete restoration of the building. The Fratellini brothers to become artistic directors.
1927: First gala of the Union of Artists with Gaby Morlay.
1933: A swimming pool under the stage! Inaugurated by Mistinguett, built in 30 days, 4.20 meters deep.
1934: the four brothers Bouglione buy the Cirque d'Hiver; this is the beginning of a passion that will last. The names Bouglione and Cirque d'Hiver become inseparable.
1949: Event of the creation of the movement against racism. Cirque d'Hiver served and still serves as a place for many manifestations: social and political meetings, rallies, wrestling matches.
1955: Carol Reed creates the film "Trapeze" with Burt Lancaster and Gina Lollobrigida. Others follow "Emilie Jolie", "Barnum", "Asterix", and singers Jacques Higelin, Guy Bedos, Diane Dufresne ... Chinese Circus, "Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain", "Cirque du Soleil". Winter 97: reopening of the water track for the show "Crescendo".
1999: the new generation takes over and Bouglione introduces a new direction to the Cirque d'Hiver, reviving the success of "Salto", "Piste", "Trapeze", "The Circus" (celebrating the anniversary 150 years of the monument), "Voltige - aerobatics", "Bravo" "Audace - Daring", "Artists", "Vertige - Vertigo", "Etoiles - Stars" and "Festif - Lively".

Cirque d'Hiver has received from the Heritage Foundation, and with the patronage of Total, support required to launch the restoration of its facade. The facade of the Cirque d'Hiver is topped with sculptures, decorations and statues listed in the inventory of historical monuments.


Contact / Centre de Danse du Marais / legal mentions / CDM access map / Cirque d'Hiver access map / Hébergement Cogitel Forum / partenaire : Paris Casting, tous les castings à Paris