Cirque d'Hiver

What Cirque d'Hiver does

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, headquartered at 110 rue Amelot in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, operates the world's oldest circus venue, an 1852 icosagon building (42m diameter, 3,900 seats, 40 windows, 21 gas chandeliers) designed by Jacques Ignace Hittorf and listed as a French Historical Monument since 1975. The company is privately held by the Bouglione family under the legal entity SES des Frères Bouglione (SA, €40,000 capital), following the brothers' 1934 acquisition, and runs a continuous live-entertainment program anchored by the current flagship circus show 'Volte' (October 2025 launch), together with headline concerts (Ibeyi, Eiffel), French comedy (Alex Lutz), musical theater (Les Comédies Musicales), and one-off sporting events (Paris Squash 2024).

The business model rests on three revenue streams: (1) show and concert ticket sales distributed through the owned Themisweb ticketing platform, third-party resellers (Ticketmaster, See Tickets, Weezevent, Dice.fm), and the on-site box office, with prices all-inclusive of VAT and capped at 8 tickets per transaction; (2) venue privatization for corporate and private events ranging from 100-1,500 guests, supported by a vetted caterer network and managed by a dedicated events team; and (3) gift cards valid for one year. Segments served are individual spectators/tourists (primary), corporate groups and event agencies, and CSE/works-council groups of 20+ with discounted rates. A historic four-year restoration (2026-2030), supported by DRAC and the Île-de-France Region, will replace seating, add PRM accessibility, and restore 19th-century interior decorations.

Name

Cirque d'Hiver

Legal name

SES des Frères Bouglione (Société d'Exploitation de Spectacle des frères Bouglione)

Website

https://cirquedhiver.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1852

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione operates the world's oldest circus, a 3,900-seat 1852 historical monument in Paris, producing its own circus shows (Volte) while hosting concerts, comedy, and venue privatization for individuals, tourists, and corporate groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Venue / Performing Arts

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL), Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Live entertainment venue
• Circus performances
• Venue privatization
• Event rental
• Concert hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Show tickets: The primary revenue stream is the sale of tickets for circus shows and concerts. Prices are all-inclusive of VAT and rental fees. Tickets are nominative and capped at 8 per transaction. Reduced rates are available with proof. Tickets are sold online (credit card via BNP Paribas Athos secure payment), at the box office, or by post (1.06€ per shipment). The venue hosts its own circus production (Volte) as well as partner events including concerts, galas, operas, and comedy shows.
2. Venue privatization and event rental: The Cirque d'Hiver is available for full or partial privatization for groups of 100 to 1,500 people. Events include conventions, seminars, seated dinners (up to 400), cocktail receptions (up to 1,000), gala evenings, concerts, weddings, fashion shows, and product launches. The venue partners with quality caterers for all catering requirements. Revenue is generated through space rental fees and associated catering commissions.
3. Gift cards / cartes-cadeaux: Gift cards are sold online, valid for one year for the current show or the next production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione operates a historic 3,900-seat circus venue in Paris hosting its own seasonal circus productions (currently "Volte"), concerts, comedy shows, and musical comedies, alongside historical building tours. It also sells full or partial venue privatization for corporate events, gala dinners, cocktail receptions, product launches, weddings, and conventions for groups of 100 to 1,500 people, plus gift cards and discounted group packages for CSEs and works councils.

Product overview

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione operates as a historic Parisian entertainment venue offering circus performances, concerts, and event privatization. The main product is the seasonal circus show (currently 'Volte'), featuring internationally acclaimed circus artists performing acts such as trapeze, juggling, diabolo, hula hoop, and balancing. Additional offerings include historical building tours, concert events (musicals, live performances by artists like Ibeyi and Eiffel), venue privatization for corporate and private events (100-1,500 guests), gift cards, and group packages. The venue's 3,900-seat capacity and iconic 1852 architecture make it suitable for both cultural performances and exclusive rentals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Ménagerie: Annex venue space available for private events and groups
• Les Écuries
• Volte

Products and services

• Volte (Circus Show) Current main circus show featuring high-end circus acts including trapeze, juggling, hula hoop, balancing, aerial straps, flying trapeze, diabolo, and bolas performances set to Latin rhythms. The show includes internationally renowned artists, often award winners from major international festivals, presented to general public audiences.
• Historical Building Tour Guided historical tours of the 1852 Second Empire icosagon building, showcasing the 42-meter diameter architecture, 40 windows, and 19th-century decorative program. Comparable to visiting the Eiffel Tower as a reference Parisian tourist site. Tours run from September 2025 to June 2026.
• Venue Privatization / Event Rental Full or partial venue privatization for groups of 100 to 1,500 people. Hosts conventions, seminars, seated meals (up to 400), cocktail receptions (up to 1,000), gala evenings, concerts, weddings, shows, fashion shows, and product launches. Quality caterers available for all catering requirements. Sold directly through the events team (Thierry Bouglione and Aline Canela).
• Gift Cards (Cartes Cadeaux) Gift vouchers valid for one year for the current show or the next production, offered to let loved ones discover the latest Bouglione creation. Sold online through the Themisweb platform.
• Group Packages (CSE & Groups) Special rates and packages for groups of 20+ people, including private rooms for brunch, cocktails, or snacks after shows. Reserved for groups of more than 50 people. Discounted rates available on presentation of proof of eligibility. Handled by dedicated sales contact Paul Brabant ([email protected]).
• Les Comédies Musicales Musical comedy show featuring French and international musical theater hits, returning for 10 dates in June 2026 to celebrate music, featuring performers including Cécilia Cara, Damien Sargue, and Priscilla Betti. Targeted at musical theater enthusiasts and general audiences.
• Concert Events Various concert performances by international artists including Ibeyi (November 9, 2026), Eiffel/Romain Humeau (December 4, 2026), and other music events hosted at the venue throughout the year.

Quantifiable outcome

• The 47th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival awarded the Golden Clown to The Flying Caballero
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Groupement Riem BeckerminorOthersEvent partner providing catering/event services. Logo displayed in the partners section of the Cirque d'Hiver website.
• Fleur de MetsminorOthersEvent partner (catering). Logo displayed in the partners section of the Cirque d'Hiver website.
• Butard EnescotminorOthersEvent partner (wine/spirits). Logo displayed in the partners section of the Cirque d'Hiver website.
• DalloyauminorOthersEvent partner (catering/fine food). Logo displayed in the partners section.
• MagnumminorOthersEvent partner (presumably beverage/ice cream). Logo displayed in the partners section.
• Novelty GroupminorOthersEvent partner (event agency). Logo displayed in the partners section.
• Grand Chemin TraiteurminorOthersCatering partner for venue privatization events, capable of serving cocktails for up to 1,000 people or seated dinners for up to 400 people.
• Saint-ClairminorOthersEvent partner. Logo displayed in the partners section.
• Le ParisienminorOthersMedia partner for shows. Logo displayed in the partners section.
• France 3 / ICI Paris Île-de-FranceminorOthersBroadcast media partner. Logo displayed in the partners section.
• Europe 1minorOthersRadio media partner. Logo displayed in the partners section.
• TicketacminorOthersTicketing partner. Logo displayed in the partners section.
• Le Rire MédecincoreOthersLong-standing charity partner (5+ years). The Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione organizes annual solidarity evenings with €20 flat-rate tickets, with all proceeds donated to support hospitalized children through clown visits.
• Com'ProdcoreOthersPress office and communications partner. Com'Prod (163 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris) handles press relations and media strategy for the Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione.
• Paul BeuscherminorOthersHistoric music partner of the Cirque d'Hiver. Paul Beuscher is an iconic music store on Boulevard Beaumarchais (Paris 4th) operating since 1850, supporting musicians and hosting music-related events near the venue.
• Ober Mamma (Big Mamma Group)minorOthersRestaurant partner (Italian cuisine). Logo displayed in the partners section.
• NetflixminorOthersListed in the 'They trust us' section. Nature of collaboration not detailed in source.
• Solidarité SidacoreOthersAnnual AIDS Solidarity Gala held at the Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione. Funds prevention and assistance programs for patients in 14 African countries. Previous ambassadors include Gérard Jugnot, Reda Kateb, Aloïse Sauvage, and Mehdi Nebbou.
• SNCFminorOthersListed in the 'They trust us' section. Nature of collaboration not detailed in source.
• École de Cirque de LizyminorOthersListed in the 'They trust us' section. Cirque school partner.
• JMD ProductionminorOthersProduction company for events such as Alex Lutz shows and other performances. Listed in the 'They trust us' section.
• 1001 LumièresminorOthersListed in the 'They trust us' section. Nature of collaboration not detailed in source.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Royal Albert Hall: Royal Albert Hall is a historic London venue for concerts, circus, and galas. Comparable on heritage positioning, multi-format programming (concerts plus circus/events), and corporate/private venue rental at scale.
• Cirque du Soleil: Cirque du Soleil is the world's largest contemporary circus producer, operating touring and resident shows globally. It is the most direct global comparator to Cirque d'Hiver's circus-as-ticketed-entertainment business model, although Cirque du Soleil operates many venues rather than a single historic building.

Direct peers

• L'Olympia: L'Olympia is a historic Parisian concert hall (est. 1893) that, like Cirque d'Hiver, books ticketed concerts by major French and international artists and rents space for private events. It competes directly for concert programming and event clients in Paris.
• Crazy Horse Paris: Crazy Horse Paris is a long-running Parisian cabaret known for ticketed variety shows and private/corporate event rentals. Comparable to Cirque d'Hiver on the combination of tourist-facing ticketed entertainment and corporate venue privatization in Paris.
• Cirque Pinder: Cirque Pinder (Jean Richard) is a long-running French touring and resident circus, comparable to Cirque d'Hiver as a heritage French circus brand with live family shows and corporate event offerings.
• Moulin Rouge: Moulin Rouge is Paris's iconic cabaret and variety-show venue, offering ticketed performances plus venue privatization in a historic Parisian setting. It directly competes with Cirque d'Hiver for tourist ticket buyers and corporate/private event bookings in Paris.
• Le Bataclan: Le Bataclan is a historic Parisian concert hall hosting rock, pop, and comedy shows. It is comparable as a mid-large historic Paris venue competing for touring artist bookings and ticket revenue.
• Folies Bergère: Folies Bergère is one of Paris's oldest variety-show venues (1869), offering music-hall productions and event rental in a historic hall. Comparable to Cirque d'Hiver on heritage positioning, variety entertainment, and corporate/private event hosting.

Emerging players

• Big Apple Circus: Big Apple Circus is a New York-based resident circus operating under a single big-top model with ticketed family shows. Comparable as a single-venue, traditional resident circus competing for tourist and family audiences.

Regional players

• Maison de la Mutualité: Maison de la Mutualité is a mid-sized historic Parisian events venue hosting concerts, conferences, and galas. Comparable as a competing Paris event/concert space, though less focused on circus-style core programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cirquedhiver
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CirquedHiverBoug
• Facebookfacebook.com/CirquedHiverBouglione
• Instagraminstagram.com/cirquedhiverbouglione

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cirque d'Hiver