Babel has returned to Le Bon Marché in Paris for a second season, combining dance, circus and martial arts after normal shopping hours.
Babel has returned to Le Bon Marché in Paris for a second season, combining dance, circus and martial arts after normal shopping hours. The production uses the department store itself as a 360-degree performance space.
A city break becomes more interesting when familiar buildings are used in unexpected ways. This is the kind of evening activity that can give a winter trip structure after museums and shops close.
The audience surrounds the action
Choreographer Mourad Merzouki designed the production around the architecture of the store rather than placing a conventional stage at one end. Spectators watch from several levels as the performance moves around them.
The first season attracted more than 22,000 people, according to LVMH. The 2026 run continues from September through the end of December.
Dance meets circus and martial arts
The mix of disciplines keeps the performance visually varied even for visitors who do not regularly attend contemporary dance. It also makes the building itself part of the choreography.
Exact performance dates and ticket availability can vary across the run. Travellers should book before building an evening around it.
Paris rewards leaving the normal itinerary
A performance inside a department store is not a conventional tourist stop, which is precisely the appeal. It can sit beside dinner or a short walk on the Left Bank without consuming an entire day.
LVMH's official announcement and production image support this feature. Current show times and access should be checked with Le Bon Marché.
Source
Official source