You step into a room drenched in red light. Someone hands you two tokens. Ahead, a silhouette offers to deal the cards while a poet waits for his next appointment in a secluded alcove. No, you haven’t crossed into a speakeasy: you’re at the Bordel de la Poésie.
The concept of the Bordel de la Poésie is adapted from the Poetry Brothel, born in New York in the late 2000s and since rolled out in several cities. Its strength lies in a simple idea: to take poetry out of its usual frame. Here, the text isn’t just printed or spoken aloud. It’s embodied. The rhythm, the voice, the silences and even the proximity to the artist become an integral part of the experience.
The event returns to La Bellevilloise in Paris on Sunday, October 25, 2026, for another evening where literature steps off the shelves to be whispered, played, and sometimes guessed. This edition promises a mystical atmosphere, between night performances, tarot, portraits and one-on-one poetry.
Upon entry, each participant is handed tokens. They can then be used to reserve a moment with one of the artists present: poet, poetess, tarot reader, portraitist or another invited figure depending on the edition.
The heart of the experience remains the poetic encounter. For about ten minutes, an artist welcomes you one-on-one and shares their texts in an intimate setting. No huge stage or mic set far away: poetry feels close, almost confidential. To pick your next appointment, you must go through the Pimp et la Madame, central figures of this quirky house. They’re the ones who guide visitors and keep the diary of encounters.
It’s this cross-pollination of disciplines that gives Bordel de la Poésie its distinctive edge. You can drop by to hear a poem, then linger in front of someone who reads the cards, have your portrait done, or stumble upon an unexpected performance. It’s up to you to decide whether to take the cards seriously: after all, if they’re signaling a life-changing encounter in the next ten minutes, it may simply mean your next poet is extraordinarily good.
This October 25 edition leans into the night’s codes. Audiences are invited to bet on red and black hues, in an elegant, theatrical, and slightly spectral spirit. A way to intensify the eerie cabaret atmosphere that already accompanies the concept. At 9 p.m., the duo Une Vraie Gothique is also slated for a performance described as suave and obscure. So, are you ready for this dreamlike experience?
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Dates and Opening Time
On October 25, 2026
Location
La Bellevilloise
19/21 rue Boyer
75020 Paris 20
Route planner
Accessibility info
Official website
shotgun.live
