Moulin Rouge, Paris

About the Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge, the Red Mill, is a cabaret on Boulevard de Clichy at Place Blanche, in the Pigalle district below Montmartre. Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller founded it in 1889, and the current building opened in 1925. The red windmill on its roof became a symbol of Paris by night.

This is where the modern cancan was born, the high-kicking dance of swirling skirts. Montmartre's artists made the cabaret famous, above all Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec with his paintings and posters of its dancers, followed later by countless films and musicals.

What to expect at the show

• The revue — a big show with dozens of performers.
• The cancan — the evening's climax.
• Costumes — feathers, sequins and lavish outfits.
• Acrobats and illusionists — acts between the dances.
• Dinner before the show — depending on your package.
• A Belle Époque interior — red tones and lamps.

How the show works

Every evening the hall stages a revue, a production with dozens of dancers, changing sets and hundreds of feathered, sequinned costumes. Acrobats, jugglers and illusionists perform between the dance numbers. The climax is the famous cancan, performed here for more than a century.

Guests sit at tables in a large red-toned hall with lamps and Belle Époque décor. You can come for the show with a glass of champagne or choose a package with dinner served before the performance.

The Moulin Rouge and Montmartre

In the late 19th century the Moulin Rouge was where everyone met: artists, writers, aristocrats and workers. Toulouse-Lautrec spent his evenings here sketching the dancers, and his posters for the cabaret now hang in museums worldwide. It became a symbol of Montmartre's carefree Belle Époque life.

Before or after the show, climb Montmartre to the Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre. Other cabarets and small theatres line the same boulevard, and Rue Lepic nearby is full of cafés and bakeries.

The red windmill from outside

Even without a show ticket, it's worth coming to see the famous red windmill with its turning sails and glowing sign. It looks best in the evening when Boulevard de Clichy lights up, and it's one of the most photographed spots in Paris.

The surrounding Pigalle district is a lively nightlife area of bars and clubs. It's busy in the evening, so keep your belongings close and avoid dubious venues touting on the street.

Tips for your visit

Choose a late show if you'd rather dine elsewhere first, or an early one with dinner at the cabaret. The show lasts about two hours, and photography and filming are not allowed.

The cabaret sets age limits for children, so check before booking. With kids, it's better to see the windmill from outside and explore Montmartre by day.

For a cheaper visit, look at show-only tickets with a drink, noticeably more affordable than dinner packages for the same performance.

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How to do it right

• Book ahead.
• Dress smartly.
• No filming the show.
• See the windmill at night.

Questions