Paris Tips: Bouncing with the Clowns!

Église de la Sainte-Trinité de Paris Photos by Theadora Brack

Welcome to the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada

By Theadora Brack

Aren’t we a pair? You’re in midair and I’m here at last on the ground—pinching from Joni Mitchell. Where are the clowns?

Let’s launch the week with a nod to a few of my favorite wits, clowns and puppets in Paris. (I’ve also included a pic of the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada. I shot it during a recent jaunt to the state. I do love clowns.)

So without further adieu, let the show begin!

Beep-beep!

Trekking to Paris? During the fall and winter, warm-up with the clowns at the one-ring Cirque d’hiver Bouglione. Imagine! Degas, Seurat, and Toulouse-Lautrec sat on these same red-velvet seats!

Tip! Stop by the nearby Clown Bar for a pre-show nibble. Its circus memorabilia-covered walls and frites will help get the party started. Pack your camera because there’s usually a photo-op with the troupe during intermission. For the love of Bozo, just do it!

Pleased as punch

During the warmer months, get all punchy with the 202-year-old puppet Guignol and his rowdy entourage at the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont’s Théâtre Guignol Anatole. Before moving to the park in 1867, this same theater worked the crowds into laughing frenzies over on the Champs Élysées.

Tip! There are more than a dozen puppet theaters in Paris. For current show listings, pick up a weekly entertainment guide at any newsstand or kiosk. Also, keep your eyes peeled for posters. Now send in the clowns!

Cirque d’hiver Bouglione
11th arrondissement (Métro: Filles du Calvaire Metro or Oberkampf)

Abbesses
18th arrondissement (Métro Abbesses)

Mask by artist Gregos Passage des Abbesses
18th arrondissement (Métro Abbesses)

Porte de Vanves Flea Market
14th arrondissement (Métro Porte de Vanves)

BALLETS RUSSES VASLAV NIJINSKY, CIMETIÈRE DE MONTMARTRE
18TH ARRONDISSEMENT (MÉTRO: ABBESSES)

Candy Shack at Place Blanche
18th arrondissement (Métro Blanche)

Porte de Vanves Flea Market
14th arrondissement (Métro: Porte de Vanves)

Tags: Art, Clowns, France, Paris, Street Art, Theadora Brack, Travel

45 thoughts on “Paris Tips: Bouncing with the Clowns!”

Black Dahlia on 23/04/2012 at at said:

Clowns are positively CREEPY!
X
BD

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Ha! Funny! What about vintage clown brooches? Do you have any in your collection? Maybe Taxco created a few? Off to the land of Google! Theadora
  
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J West Hardin on 23/04/2012 at at said:

love the traditional european circus clowns….great job

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  As always, thanks for your swell words! The Cirque d’hiver Bouglione is a magical place! Theadora (By the way, I really enjoyed your recent post about guidebooks and bucket lists. Follow the nose!)
  
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Brigitte on 23/04/2012 at at said:

Clowns, creepy clowns. They’ve always terrified me, but I do like your post and pics, as always. :).

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Thanks, Brigitte! Yes, clowns scare folks. Why? Why? There are too many reasons to count, perhaps. Great dinner party conversation material! Theadora
  
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Sheila Hurst on 23/04/2012 at at said:

This is great! Too many people are afraid of clowns these days so I’m glad to see them thriving in Paris. Did I tell you I met Bozo? It was one of my life-defining moments and I’ve got the picture to prove it. 🙂

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Whoa, Sheila! So you got to meet Bozo? Where? How? Great story! Do you still have the photograph? I am so jealous!! Theadora
  
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  - Sheila Hurst on 24/04/2012 at at said:
    
    I’m glad you’re a fellow Bozo fan! We used to live in Michigan near Windsor where the Bozo show was filmed and so I got to be on the show. Everyone in the neighborhood thought I was a movie star and actually brought presents after the show aired. It was probably my one and only real brush with fame. I’ll try finding your email address so I can send you the picture – it’s much better of Bozo than of me!
    
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  - Theadora Brack on 25/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Sheila, I love this story!! Your neighbors presented gifts after the show?! What did they give you? Here’s my email address: theadora.brack@gmail.com. Have you tried to find the footage?! Theadora
    
    (Historical Clown Tidbit: So Bozo was created by Alan W. Livingston during the 1940s. Vance DeBar “Pinto” Colvig was the very first Bozo. Pinto was also the voice of Goofy, Sleepy and Grumpy in the Disney flicks. Interesting!)
    
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  - Sheila Hurst on 25/04/2012 at at said:
    
    And here I thought he was just Bozo – I had no idea he was also Goofy, Sleepy and Grumpy. Thanks for that info! I’ll send you the picture for laughs. I’ve never even thought to try to find the footage – might have to look into that if we can remember what day it might have been.
    
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thom bradley on 24/04/2012 at at said:

I think this is one of your best. The pictures tell ageat story and hey are vibrant and alive. Certainly adding this information to my “paris” list

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Merci, Thom! It was great fun to create. Theadora (Enjoy the spring-cleaning. I’ll miss your posts!)
  
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This Sydney Life on 24/04/2012 at at said:

I just love the idea that I might be sitting where Seurat sat at Cirque d’hiver Bouglione. How marvie’ 🙂

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  For the love of red velvet, the place is very cozy. It looks like an over-sized parlor. Rocking an old-fashioned vibe, there are also souvenir stands and snack bars. Of course, I always buy a magic wand! T.
  
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Life with Lizzi on 24/04/2012 at at said:

loving the clowns! your photo’s are fantastic!!

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Thanks!! Clowns are fun to shoot. Theadora (And speaking of photographs, I loved your wall hanging. What a fab idea!)
  
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TBM on 24/04/2012 at at said:

I’ll have to keep an eye out when I visit.

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Yes! I’ve started spying clowns everywhere. It’s hard to stop photographing them. Not that I’m trying! Theadora
  
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LediaR on 24/04/2012 at at said:

How fun! I especially like the clown statue. The expression on its face tells a story that I want to hear.

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Thank you!! The Nijinsky sculpture is also one of my favorites. I fell for it at first sight. Very expressive! Rain or shine, I love strolling the grounds at the Cimetière de Montmartre, chatting with Nijinsky and the stray cats! Theadora
  
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  - LediaR on 24/04/2012 at at said:
    
    You are so very welcome. Thank you so much for sharing such a sweet post.
    
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marimann on 24/04/2012 at at said:

Love the Pierrot in the last photo…I have one like him sitting in my office….

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Ah, so you have one to call your own! Lucky you! Theadora (Does it have a story? Was it flea market find?)
  
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  - marimann on 24/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Thanks! My husband got him on ebay but he has a ceramic head and the seller packed him in a box with absolutely no packing, not even a sheet of newspaper, and when he arrived his head was broken in pieces. My husband was able to glue him back together with just a few chips missing so he is somewhat of a sad clown! And that’s his story….
    
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  - Theadora Brack on 25/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Poor Pierrot! But for the love of glue and mana, he’s still alive and priceless. Humpty Dumpty needed your husband on his team! How long did it take to put Pierrot back together again? Sweet tale!! Theadora
    
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roberto alborghetti on 24/04/2012 at at said:

Very cool subject!

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Martino on 24/04/2012 at at said:

Ha ha ha ha! Ho ho ho! Hee hee hee! Hoo-eee! Stop stop! Nooo! Ha ha ha ha ha! (Clowns always make me laugh.)

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  As always, I love your wit, Martino! T.
  
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  - Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Thank you! Theadora (I’ve been enjoying your “Torn” project. The images of the layers are beautiful. Traces from the past! It’s a sweet meshing of the past and present. Bravo!)
    
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Angelo on 24/04/2012 at at said:

love the vaslav nijinsky!

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- Theadora Brack on 24/04/2012 at at said:
  
  I agree! The Nijinsky sculpture suits the dancer. Here’s one of my favorite quotes. When asked the secret to his airy, floating leaps, Nijinsky would say only, “You have just to go up and then pause a little up there.” Enjoy the week! Theadora
  
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turningheadsaustralia on 24/04/2012 at at said:

Hi I just wanted to spread a little sunshine your way and nominate you for the Sunshine Award! For more info go here 🙂
http://turningheadsaustralia.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/here-comes-the-sun/

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- Theadora Brack on 25/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Thanks for spreading the sunshine!! I love your photography. And shopping tips, of course! Your Louis Vuitton shots were spectacular. Congratulations!! Theadora
  
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  - turningheadsaustralia on 25/04/2012 at at said:
    
    no problems at all.
    
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kristaspurr on 25/04/2012 at at said:

Great post idea! I was terrified and intrigued by the Nijinsky sculpture…

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- Theadora Brack on 25/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Thanks, Krista!! But aren’t the roses beautiful? Cimetière de Montmartre is a hotspot for dance pilgrims. Here you’ll also find Marie Taglioni, Fanny Cerrito, and Edgar Degas, along with Courtier Paul Poiret and terpsichorean Louise Weber, a.k.a. La Goulue (the Glutton)! Oh, la la! Theadora (I’ve been enjoying your Paris posts!)
  
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  - kristaspurr on 26/04/2012 at at said:
    
    The Taglioni grave was spectacular, with the pointe shoes on it. I finally saw her picture in a portrait at the Opéra museum. Have you been to the LV-Marc Jacobs exposition? It’s *gorgeous*.
    
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  - Theadora Brack on 27/04/2012 at at said:
    
    I love Maria Taglioni. She was one of the first to don the “above the ankle” skirt. Funny tip! Her popularity launched her name into the bright lingo spotlight. Folks started using the verb “Taglioniser.” Definition? To be slender and graceful. Love that. The Louis Vuitton Vs. Marc JacobsLes Arts Décoratifs looks gorgeous! The big show is on my list. Last year I got to see the LV exhibit at the Musée Carnavalet. It was beautiful. (And speaking of fashion exhibits, I’m also looking forward to seeing the Prada-Schiaparelli exhibit in New York.) Enjoy the weekend! Theadora
    
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  - kristaspurr on 27/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Ooh, I may have to go to NYC for Prada exhibit, sounds marvelous!
    
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  - Theadora Brack on 28/04/2012 at at said:
    
    I think there’s a catalog. Fingers and toes are crossed! T.
    
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Tales and Travels of the Tin Man on 29/04/2012 at at said:

Dearest Theadora, on my way to Rome and when returning from Milano, my flight went over Paris and I blew some kisses out the window to you. Hope they found their way to your most kind, marvelous and brilliant self! I so love this posting – by blood a king, in heart a clown.

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belocchio on 29/04/2012 at at said:

Don’t bother…they’re here! I am deep into the novel The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. For all of us who believe in magic The Night Circus is a trip to another world, another dimension. Then I read your blog and think “Theadora has been to The Night Circus and caught the magic in photographs”. Merci Virginia

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Malou on 11/05/2012 at at said:

Great post, Theadora! My husband is not so fond of clowns, think that they are very creepy creatures. Yet we’ve just been to a circus and our little girl was so charmed by the funny antics of those clowns. The most fun for her was to be able to ride the elephant…a real one! 😉

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- Theadora Brack on 16/05/2012 at at said:
  
  Malou! A real elephant?! How big?! Where was the circus located? I’m impressed! Theadora (I used to take trapeze classes from former French circus workers. (Thanks to my great fear of heights, I left my one-ring “circus” life after a few months. It was scary!)
  
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