Jay-Z celebrated his 38th birthday by watching an erotic cabaret show in Paris with girlfriend Beyoncé Knowles.

The hip-hop star arrived in the French capital and checked into the exclusive Le Meurice hotel on Monday, with Beyoncé joining him the following day, Jay-Z's actual birthday.

In the evening, the pair - who spent most of Tuesday morning in their hotel suite - enjoyed a limo drive round the romantic capital of the world, before heading to L'Avenue for an intimate dinner.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé, 26, then caught the late show at the famous cabaret club le Crazy Horse Paris.

The couple sipped champagne as they watched a troupe of semi-naked women perform the saloon's sensual Forever Crazy Revue in the velvet and mirror adorned venue.

Jay-Z's celebrations are more low-key than last year when Beyoncé reportedly splashed out $3 million for a three-day birthday extravaganza in the Caribbean.

The singer charted two planes to fly 20 of the rapper's closest friends to the paradise island of St. Martin.

The exclusive group - which is said to have included Beyoncé's former Destiny's Child band mate Kelly Rowland - relaxed on a private yacht and were treated to a constant supply of champagne and luxury foods.