Rachida Dati announced on Tuesday January 21 measures in favor of cabaret, a “art (which) embodies French culture and freedom” from the Moulin Rouge, famous Parisian cabaret and temple of the cancan, where she visited the different workshops.
These measures (475,000 euros) aim to “to show support for creation”, “strengthen the visibility of the cabaret” and give him “a truly deserved recognition”declared the Minister of Culture, in front of the players in the sector to whom she promised support to obtain tax assistance. These measures are in addition to already existing aid (notably for employment) which represented 3.5 million euros in 2024.
According to the ministry, the sector has some 200 cabarets, 2.7 million spectators, 5,000 jobs (including 1,600 artists from dance, singing, burlesque circus, magic, etc.) and 225 million euros of turnover. He experienced a “rapid recovery in attendance after the Covid crisis”noted a ministry report published in July.
The sector, essentially private, has been demanding for several years to be able to benefit from the live entertainment tax credit (CISV), from which it is excluded. Tuesday, Rachida Dati announced that she supported the approach of the Ekhoscenes union to obtain this extension from the Bercy services. This should “allow smaller structures to strengthen their creative efforts (choreographies, music, costumes, sets), but also to broadcast shows”according to the ministry.
The minister will also “support the process” registration of the cancan, the emblematic dance of cabaret, at “the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage”, via a mission entrusted to the Moulin Rouge which celebrated its 135th anniversary last October. In this inventory already appears, for example, the French school of mime.
This “cabaret plan” also provides for the creation of a “fund to support the development of ‘characters’ or numbers” (150,000 euros) or financial support from “cabaret residences” in multidisciplinary places or art centers (75,000 euros).
-A “cabaret focus” (200,000 euros) will finance events, shows and a podcast during the 2025-2026 season. Research and publications (50,000 euros) will also be encouraged.
Cabaret crafts (costumes, shoemakers, featherwork, embroidery, etc.) will be promoted among young people and young creators.
For Jean-Victor Clérico, boss of the Moulin Rouge, this plan “is first of all (a) recognition”. During a speech, he greeted “a work dynamic which (…) will contribute to strengthening the place of cabaret in the French cultural landscape”. “What is important is the recognition of the sector, but also the commitment of the ministry to support it in all its diversity through several support and highlighting mechanisms”also welcomed Isabelle Gentilhomme, general secretary of Ekhoscenes, to AFP.
Apart from six large houses which employ more than 30 artists (Le Moulin Rouge, Madame Arthur in Paris, the Royal Palace in Alsace, etc.), the majority of cabarets (5 to 15 artists) are located outside large cities and often in small rural communities. There are traditional cabarets offering magazines and music halls and alternative music. “defending a position (…) open to the LGBT+ cause”underlined the ministry’s report. Certain collectives set up around an artist are not associated with a place.
