The Bouglione family circus museum, a well-hidden nugget - our photos

Here's a private museum that deserves to be opened to the general public! At the heart of the Cirque d'Hiver, in the Bouglione family since 1934, a veritable circus museum abounds with treasures, safeguarded by the family for decades. Louis Sampion Bouglione, who looks after the museum, is a collector from father to son, and has gathered here documents, costumes, models and other objects relating to the circus world and the mythical place that houses it.

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In the artist's entrance on the first floor, a small wooden staircase leads to a long, narrow double room lined with colorful circus posters from floor to ceiling. Wedding photos of the Bouglione family, the Ministry's authorization to build the circus dating from 1851, a photograph of Jules Léotard, masks and other precious knick-knacks mingle with sumptuous costumes, some from prestigious houses.

Proudly displayed, these pieces, some of which are almost two centuries old, take us back in time. Already amazed by this hidden beauty, Louis Sampion confesses that there are many more elsewhere, in a warehouse near Paris. And he continues to make discoveries within the circus itself, like this old beam left in a corner, which has survived the test of time.

Unfortunately, few people have access to it, apart from family and a privileged few, including us during an interview with its founder. For the time being, it's impossible to visit it during the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), as the space doesn't meet the standards required to welcome the public. However, this is Louis Sampion's wish, and he would like"everyone to be able to enjoy it". Perhaps in the future we'll see collaborations with Parisian museums to exhibit at least the superb costumes saved!

On the other hand, you can visit the rest of Cirque d'Hiver on guided tours, once a month, to discover its other little secrets.

Go behind the scenes at Cirque d'Hiver with a guided tour, once a month.
Go behind the scenes of the capital's most emblematic circus with a guided tour of the Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, every first Saturday of the month. You'll find out everything you need to know about the history and little secrets of this not-to-be-missed venue! [Read more]