Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione

The building you are approaching is the oldest permanent circus structure still in existence, having opened its doors in eighteen fifty-two. It was commissioned by the circus entrepreneur Louis Dejean, who sought a grand winter home for his company, and was designed by the renowned architect Jacques Hittorff. During its inauguration, the venue was christened the Cirque Napoleon in honor of the newly crowned Emperor, Napoleon the Third. The structure was built in an astonishing eight months and features a unique twenty-sided polygonal design that eliminated the need for internal support columns, ensuring that every spectator had an unobstructed view of the ring.