Partying underground in Paris' secret corners

Paris

INSIDE an abandoned seven-floor, 70-room house near the Arc de Triomphe, more than 650 revellers in floor-length gowns, curly white wigs and feathered masks gathered on a Friday night in January.

A nearly nude woman with a giant bouffant and flower-adorned underwear performed a sultry dance with pink wings, while a contortionist spouted French obscenities. At the bottom of a sweeping grand staircase, a four-piece band performed while couples waltzed.