We have all heard of the Bouglione winter circus in Paris, in the 11th arrondissement; this mythical marquee, built in the working-class Temple district and inaugurated by Louis Napoleon (Bonaparte's nephew) in 1852, was originally essentially dedicated to the equestrian arts.
The former Cirque Napoléon has come a long way since then, but the place is still just as sumptuous:I went there last weekend with my 2 sons, to see the new Cirque d'Hiver show entitled Phenomenal .
The Bouglione circus has had various names since its creation. First baptized Circus Napoleon as I told you above, it took the name of Cirque National twenty years later to finally bear the name that we still know today, since 1873.
It is the oldest "hard" circus in the world, taken over by the Bouglione brothers in the 1900s:an emblematic line of circus people who have succeeded each other there for four generations, bringing the Cirque d' Winter thanks to new shows. The marquee and its entrance hall still display the decor entrusted at the time of its construction to the greatest painters and sculptors of the time.
So we went to see the new show played at the Bouglione circus since October 12, 2013:quite frankly, I loved it and the show can appeal to all age groups from 7 to 77 years old. It is a magical moment that brings together more breathtaking numbers than each other, performed by exceptional artists. Between juggling, acrobatics, animals (the equestrian performances are impressive) and with a good dose of humour, you can only come out of it with a smile from ear to ear. My 9 and 11 year old sons were also won over, even if some of the dance numbers bored them a bit and they would have liked to see more magicians... Ah children!
If the Phenomenal show constitutes 2 hours of complete wonder for young and old, the Winter Circus has more than one trick up its sleeve because the Bougliones are currently preparing a Christmas circus, Circus on Ice which is a show performed entirely on ice.
The quality and success will undoubtedly be there, since the troupe has been "doing its circus" on ice for several years; a moment that risks being quite kitsch but I think it's a great Christmas present to share with the family. Only downside, the show will not take place in the Parisian marquee but occupies the hall of Le Bourget (93) from December 7 to 15, 2013. You can't have everything...
