Cirque de Paris In Center Valley: Opening Night Under the Big Top
Cirque de Paris is pure, joy‑filled escapism—part vintage European circus, part modern Vegas spectacle. On opening night, everyone from toddlers to grandparents was on their feet, cheering at the curtain call.
If you drove past the Promenade Saucon Valley on Thursday night, chances are the glowing 20‑foot Eiffel Tower outside a massive white tent caught your eye. That beacon marks Cirque de Paris, a seven‑generation French circus that’s set up shop in The Promenade Saucon Valley for a limited run from April 17th – 27th. We were there for opening night and—spoiler alert—it’s every bit as awesome as it looks.
Easy Arrival & Family‑Friendly Extras
Parking is plentiful and free in the rear parking lots of the Promenade; from there it’s a short stroll to the big top’s entrance. Before you even step inside you’ll find face‑painting for the kids, a snack stand with popcorn and snacks, and several costumed performers greeting guests and posing for selfies. The glowing Eiffel Tower, and the buzz in the air—make it impossible not to smile and get excited for the show.
A Stage Set for Spectacle
Inside, stadium‑style seating wraps in a full circle around a polished circular stage. Fog machines billow as soft jazz plays overhead, and a neon “BOUGLIONE” sign (a nod to the legendary family that produces the show) glows above the ring.
Show Highlights
Pedro Rampin Santos Jr. — The Charismatic Clown
Pedro’s lineage stretches eight generations back, and you feel that history in every pratfall and punchline. From his opening banter to a surprisingly tense knife‑throwing routine, he keeps both adults and kids giggling between acts.
Aerial Duo Brandon & Jacqueline
Floating high above the crowd, this team spins, drops, and glides in perfect sync to soaring French pop. Their chemistry (and trust!) is visible with every catch.
Illusionist Fernando Israel Santos Perez
A tenth‑generation performer, Fernando’s “Flashback Magic” involves human‑sized cabinets, vanishing assistants, with gasp‑inducing performances keeping the crowd entertained.
Anouchka Bouglione — Hula‑Hoop Virtuoso
If you think hula hoops are kid stuff, wait until you see Anouchka whirl dozens at once, launch them skyward, and snatch them mid‑spin without breaking rhythm.
Kostiantyn & Anastasiia — Bike Trial Thrills
Wheelies, bench jumps, nose pivots—Kostiantyn turns the central ring into an urban obstacle course while Anastasiia is only inches from his tire tracks.
Violet Villa Bertini — Aerial Hoop Elegance
Eighth‑generation star Violet dangles by one hand, one foot, even from her neck, rotating gracefully above the amazed crowd.
Selina & Noelia — Hand‑to‑Hand Acrobatics
Precision, strength, and trust define this duo’s balancing act, with gravity‑defying lifts that draw audible wows.
Laser Light Spectacular — Reinaldo Monteiro
Reinaldo Monteiro kicks off this sequence with two razor‑sharp green beams that pierce the darkness like lightsabers. Moments later they fracture into a galaxy of emerald, crimson, and violet rays that whirl overhead, sketching 3‑D tunnels, pinwheels, and even Eiffel‑Tower outlines across the tent canvas. It’s a hypnotic, one‑of‑a‑kind illusion that photos simply can’t do justice—you have to be there to watch the big top dissolve into pure light.
Final Verdict
Cirque de Paris is pure, joy‑filled escapism that lands somewhere between vintage European circus charm and modern Vegas‑style spectacle. The opening‑night crowd—from children to grandparents—was cheering and clapping for the curtain call, smiling from ear to ear as it was quite clear from the laughter thoughout the night that everyone enjoyed the show.
Center Valley is one of the first U.S. stops for the show, and once the big top folds on April 27, it’s gone. Grab your tickets, charge your phone for photos, and get ready to be transported to Paris—no passport required.
Did you attend Cirque de Paris? Drop a comment below or tag us @ExploreLehighValley on Instagram so we can share your favorite moments!
