Moulin Rouge

Paris, France

Moulin Rouge (French for Red Mill) is a cabaret co-founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof.

Moulin Rouge is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance of the late 1800s France.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1889
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Lipstick Revolt (2 months ago)
We had the most amazing time watching moulin rouge. We didn’t have food but instead got a bottle of champagne and had seats that were high up for VIP. We were the top row and there was a curtain looking thing hanging which obstructed our view a tiny bit but overall we really enjoyed the show. The costumes are beautiful, choreography is amazing, and the story line cute, I think since I’m not French speaking. I highly recommend coming to see these talented folks do their thing.
Dominic Carpin (2 months ago)
I didn't know what to expect. I had it in my mind that it was kind of a touristy thing to do. When I told a Parisian friend of mine I was going, they wanted to go with me. I tried for a 2nd ticket, but it was sold out. I went to the 11pm show. If you're older like me, you might want to take a power nap. It was an incredible spectacle. Bawdy and ribald. The athleticism of the dancers was extraordinary. Everyone should go to a show at Moulin Rouge. I did think it was maybe 1/2 hour too long. Champagne was great. Excellent ambience. Iconic.
Naj BC (2 months ago)
Great night out. So entertaining from start to finish. The show is full of colour and beautiful singers and dancers, We went for the 9pm evening show however you can also book dinner too. Show times are 9pm or 11.30pm
James Mayer (3 months ago)
Vibrant, loud, dazzling. Probably the most bizarre show I have ever seen, but still such good fun. High energy, lots of colour and beautiful people dancing around and singing. The venue is superb, giving the ambience of debauchery mixed with devilment. I would have gone just to see the can-can which was amazing. Loved it.
King King (3 months ago)
Visiting the Moulin Rouge was certainly a unique experience that I won’t soon forget! From the moment we arrived, the iconic venue exuded an atmosphere of excitement and glamour, setting the stage for what we expected to be a night of captivating entertainment. While it was undeniably fun, I must say that it’s a show that caters to a specific taste in theater. The performance itself was a whirlwind of colorful costumes, energetic music, and, well, a lot of corny humor. We found ourselves laughing hysterically throughout the entire show, not necessarily because of the intended comedic moments, but because some of the acts were just so over-the-top and cheesy. If you're someone who enjoys campy entertainment, you might find this delightful, but if you prefer something more refined, you might be in for a surprise. As for the dancing, it didn’t quite live up to the high expectations I had. While there were moments of flair and enthusiasm, the choreography felt lackluster at times, and I was hoping for more impressive routines. Additionally, I must mention that the show featured an abundance of nudity, which was certainly a hallmark of the cabaret experience, but it felt excessive at times. If you're not a fan of such displays, it might catch you off guard. One of the biggest drawbacks for us was the price. The Moulin Rouge is quite expensive, and after experiencing the show, we didn’t find it to be worth the money. For the cost of admission, we expected a more polished and engaging performance, and unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver that for us. Overall, I’d say that the Moulin Rouge is an entertaining experience, but you really have to enjoy that particular style of theater to fully appreciate it. If you go in with the right mindset—ready for some light-hearted fun and a bit of camp—then you’ll likely have a great time. Just be prepared for the corny moments, the nudity, and the steep ticket prices. If that’s your scene, then the Moulin Rouge can still be a memorable night out in Paris, but don’t expect it to be a top-tier theatrical experience.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Jan Hus Memorial

The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.

Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.