Le Carrousel de Paris
| Company type | Cabaret |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Nightclub |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | Giuseppe "Pepito" Abatino |
| Fate | Discontinued dinner-show format in 2016 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Paris, France |
| Products | Cabaret performances, dinner-show |
Le Carrousel de Paris was a celebrated cabaret in Paris during the 1950s, distinguished for its revue that showcased cross-dressing and transgender artists, including notable performer Coccinelle. The venue discontinued its dinner-show format in 2016.
History
In 1926, impresario Giuseppe "Pepito" Abatino established the cabaret Chez Joséphine near Moulin Rouge as a venue for star Josephine Baker. Prior to its evolution into a dinner-show, it attracted prominent figures such as Jean Cocteau, Robert Desnos, Colette, and René Clair. Functioning as a cabaret and café-théâtre, it featured early appearances by artists like Charles Trenet, Édith Piaf, Léo Ferré, and pianist-accompanist Gilbert Bécaud.
Marcel Ouizman, who was already in charge of Madame Arthur, assumed control of Le Carrousel de Paris in October 1947, moving it to a basement location at 40 rue du Colisée near the Champs-Élysées. After receiving legal threats from nearby residents, Ouizman closed the establishment temporarily and reopened it in 1951 on the ground floor. The years spanning 1947 to 1961 are regarded as the heyday of Le Grande Carrousel, recognized as one of Paris’s most upscale nightclubs. In 1952, performer Coccinelle rose to prominence there. The cabaret’s programmes frequently displayed photographs contrasting performers’ male identities with their glamorous female stage images, highlighting its significance for transgender representation.
In 1954, law enforcement authorities mandated a three-month closure of Le Carrousel de Paris and prohibited male cross-dressing at Madame Arthur. Nevertheless, the troupe of female impersonators continued to captivate Tout-Paris, featuring stars such as Bambi, April Ashley, Péki d'Oslo, Capucine, Kiki Moustic, Les-Lee, Fétiche, Coco, Sonne Teal, Rita del Oro, Doriana, and Chou Chou. Ouizman also launched another Carrousel venue in Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera and successfully contested restrictive police policies in court. Despite these efforts, he was compelled to close Le Carrousel de Paris on 31 December 1961. Less than a year later, it reopened at 22 rue Vavin between Montparnasse and the Jardin du Luxembourg. The cabaret experienced further tragedy when Sonne Teal and four other troupe members perished in a plane crash near Mount Fuji during a tour of Japan in 1966.
In 1985, Le Carrousel de Paris relocated from rue Vavin to 40 rue Fontaine opposite Place Blanche, occupying the former Embassy club’s space. This move caused confusion with the similarly named Carrousel du Louvre, which had been inaugurated by then-President François Mitterrand. The female impersonator ensemble from Madame Arthur transferred to this location. In 1990, a new revue inspired by Paradis Latin was launched. Additionally, the cabaret became a venue for comedians including Olivier Lejeune, Gérald Dahan, Bernard Mabille, Vincent Lagaf', and Michel Leeb.
Ownership changed hands in 1996 when Valério Berkovics acquired Le Carrousel de Paris from the Madame Arthur group and led operations until 2008. In June 2010, SNCP under Simone Lumbroso took over management. The cabaret ended its activities in 2016 with intentions to transform the space into a cocktail bar that would retain the Le Carrousel name but discontinue live entertainment.