 The Moulin Rouge in 2011 | |
 | |
| Address | 82 Boulevard de Clichy Paris France |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°53′03″N2°19′57″E / 48.88417°N 2.33250°E /48.88417; 2.33250 |
| Type | Cabaret |
| Capacity | 850 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 6 October 1889; 135 years ago (1889-10-06) |
| Architect | Adolphe Willette andÉdouard-Jean Niermans |
| Website | |
| Moulinrouge.fr | |
Moulin Rouge[1] (/ˌmuːlæ̃ˈruːʒ/,French:[mulɛ̃ʁuʒ];lit. '"Red Mill"') is acabaret inParis, on Boulevard de Clichy, at Place Blanche, the intersection of, and terminus of Rue Blanche.
In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was co-founded byCharles Zidler andJoseph Oller, who also owned theParis Olympia. The original venue was destroyed by fire in 1915, reopening in 1925 after rebuilding. Moulin Rouge is southwest ofMontmartre, in the Paris district ofPigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the18tharrondissement, and has a landmark redwindmill on its roof. The closest métro station isBlanche.
Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of thecan-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by thecourtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dancerevue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction ofcabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge is atourist attraction, offering predominantly musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance offin de siècle France.
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On 6 October 1889, the Moulin Rouge opened as theJardin de Paris,[2][3][4] an outdoor gardencafé-concert,[5] at the foot of the Montmartre hill. Its creatorJoseph Oller and his ManagerCharles Zidler were formidable businessmen who understood the public's tastes. The aim was to attract wealthy individuals to experience the ambiance of the fashionable district ofMontmartre, which was perceived as a form of slumming. The elaborate setting, featuring a garden adorned with a large elephant, provided an environment where individuals from various social strata could interact. This included workers, local residents, artists, the middle class, businessmen, stylish women, and tourists passing through Paris. Nicknamed "The First Palace of Women" by Oller and Zidler, the cabaret swiftly garnered significant acclaim. Key factors contributing to its success included:[1]
_Bal_au_Moulin_Rouge_place_Blanche_1889_-_Jules_Ch%25C3%25A9ret.jpg)
![Zidler's assistant and Moulin-Rouge manager, Tremolada, pointing at Jules Chéret's 1889 poster, Bal du Moulin Rouge with Toulouse-Lautrec, Place Blanche, Paris, 1892[6]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aHenri-de-Toulouse-Lautrec-with-Tremolada-standing-next-to-Jules-Cherets-1889-poster.png)
During its early years, the Moulin Rouge featured extravagant shows inspired by the circus, along with attractions that gained widespread fame, such asPétomane. Concert-dances were organized daily at 10 pm. Between 1886 and 1910, the comic duo Footit and Chocolat, comprising a white authoritarian clown and a black long-sufferingAuguste, gained popularity and were frequently featured on Moulin Rouge posters.On 19 April 1890, the first revue, "Circassiens et Circassiennes," debuted. On 26 October 1890, during a private visit to Paris, the Prince of Wales, laterEdward VII, reserved a table to witness a quadrille at the Moulin Rouge, where La Goulue famously greeted him with the exclamation, "Hey, Wales, the champagne's on you!" In 1891, Toulouse-Lautrec created his first poster for the Moulin Rouge, featuringLa Goulue.In 1893, the "Bal des Quat'z'Arts" sparked scandal with its procession featuring a nudeCleopatra surrounded by young naked women. On 12 November 1897, the Moulin Rouge closed for the first time to mourn the passing of its manager and co-founder, Charles Zidler. Yvette Guilbert paid homage to him, saying, "You have the knack of creating popular pleasure, in the finest sense of the word, of entertaining crowds with subtlety, according to the status of those to be entertained."In 1900, the Universal Exhibition attracted visitors from around the world to the Moulin Rouge, solidifying Paris's reputation as a city of decadent pleasure. This led to the establishment of imitation "Moulin Rouges" and "Montmartres" in many other countries.
In January 1903, the Moulin Rouge underwent renovation and improvement under the direction ofÉdouard Niermans, a prominent architect of theBelle Époque era, amongst other works he designed the brasserie Mollard, theCasino de Paris, theFolies Bergère in Paris, the Palace Hôtel in Ostend in Belgium, the rebuilding of theHôtel du Palais in Biarritz, and the creation of theHotel Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. This included the addition of aperitif concerts, attracting the fashionable elite for dining and entertainment in a luxurious setting. Until the outbreak of theFirst World War, the Moulin Rouge became renowned for its operetta performances. Successful shows during this period included Voluptata, La Feuille de Vigne, Le Rêve d'Egypte, Tais-toi tu m'affoles, among others, each with evocative titles. On 3 January 1907, during the performance of Le Rêve d'Egypte,Colette exchanged scandalous kisses that revealed her connection to the Duchess of Morny, leading to the show being banned.Mistinguett made her debut at the Moulin Rouge on 29 July 1907 in the Revue de la Femme, showcasing her undeniable talent. She quickly rose to fame, achieving immense success the following year withMax Dearly in La Valse chaloupée. Born into poverty, Mistinguett's sharp wit and determination propelled her to become a successful businesswoman, touring extensively across Europe and the United States. On 9 April 1910, a former lady-in-waiting toEmpress Eugénie attended a showing of the Revue Amoureuse at the Moulin Rouge and was so captivated by the faithful recreation of a ceremony for the return of troops from Italy that she exclaimed, "Long Live the Empress!"
Tragically, on 27 February 1915, the Moulin Rouge was destroyed by fire during building works, resulting in a nine-year closure.[7] In 1925, the rebuilt Moulin Rouge reopened its doors to the public.
![Moulin Rouge, la revue Cache Ton Nu !, 24 June 1914, by Stéphane Passet[8]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aLe_Moulin_Rouge%2c_Boulevard_de_Clichy%2c_Paris.jpg)
Following World War I,Francis Salabert assumed management of the Moulin Rouge. As a businessman rather than a showman, he entrusted Jacques-Charles, a prominent impresario, with revitalizing the cabaret. The Moulin Rouge experienced a resurgence with the performances of stars such as Mistinguett,Jeanne Aubert, andMaurice Chevalier, as well as the introduction of American revues featuring the Hoffmann Girls.
In 1923, composer and conductor Raphaël Beretta proposed a reconstruction of the Moulin Rouge's music hall on a larger scale. The iconic mill structure, supported by a central facade adorned with oval dormers, was designed by Gesmar, a 20-year-old set designer whose work became synonymous with the venue.
Jacques-Charles and Mistinguett collaborated on several acclaimed revues, including:
1925:Revue Mistinguett
1926:Ça c'est Paris
1928:Paris qui tourne
During a 1927 performance, an incident occurred when female dancers emerged from multi-tiered artificial cakes covered in real frosting. The slippery cake cream on their high heels caused them to repeatedly slip and fall on stage, resulting in disruptions to the show.[9]
Mistinguett's tenure at the Moulin Rouge produced enduring songs such as "Valencia," "Ça c'est Paris" (both byJose Padilla), "Il m'a vue nue," "On m' suit," and "La Java de Doudoune," the latter performed withJean Gabin.
In 1929, Mistinguett retired from the stage, leading to the transformation of the Moulin Rouge's ballroom into an ultra-modern Night Club.
From June to August 1929, the revueLew Leslie's Blackbirds, featuring jazz singer and Broadway starAdelaide Hall,[10] along with a troop of a hundred black artists accompanied by the Jazz Plantation Orchestra, became the hit of the season at the Moulin Rouge.[11]
In 1937, theCotton Club, renowned in New York, was showcased at the Moulin Rouge, alongside performances by Ray Ventura and his Collegians.
During the Second World War (1939–1945), the Moulin Rouge was highlighted in the German Occupation Guide as a must-visit attraction in Paris.[12] Its stage shows continued for the occupation troops and were mentioned in autobiographies of German officers such asErnst Jünger and Gerhard Heller.[13] The Germans facilitated "recreational visits" in Paris for their troops, promoting the motto "Jeder einmal in Paris" (everyone once in Paris). The widespread prostitution during the occupation eventually led to the implementation of theLoi Marthe Richard in 1946, which closed bordellos and reduced stage shows to dancing events.
In 1944, shortly after theliberation of Paris,Edith Piaf, who had performed frequently at social gatherings for German forces during the war, returned to the stage at the Moulin Rouge. She was accompanied byYves Montand, a newcomer chosen to perform with her.
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On 22 June 1951, Georges France, also known as Jo France, founder of theBalajo in Paris, acquired the Moulin Rouge and initiated extensive renovation efforts. Architects Pierre Devinoy, Bernard de La Tour d’Auvergne, andMarion Tournon-Branly were tasked with enhancing and outfitting the new auditorium. The envisioned décor by Jo France, largely executed by Henri Mahé, a prominent designer of the era, remains intact to this day.
The return of evening dances, acts, and the iconic French cancan marked a revival at the Moulin Rouge. On 19 May 1953, the 25th "Bal des Petits Lits Blancs," organized by novelistGuy des Cars, attracted notable figures such as French PresidentVincent Auriol and featuredBing Crosby's European stage debut. Between 1951 and 1960, the stage saw performances by renowned artists includingLuis Mariano,Charles Trénet, andJosephine Baker.
In 1955, Jo France transferred ownership to brothers Joseph and Louis Clérico, proprietors ofLe Lido,[14] with Jean Bauchet assuming the managerial role. The tradition of the French cancan continued, choreographed by Ruggero Angeletti. Doris Haug established the "Doris's Girls" troop in 1957, initially comprising four girls and later expanding to sixty.
Transformations in 1959 included renovations to the Moulin Rouge's kitchens, while the introduction ofThe Revue Japonaise in 1960 showcased Japanese artists and popularizedKabuki in Montmartre. In 1962,Jacki Clérico, son of Joseph Clérico, assumed leadership,[14] ushering in an era of expansion with the enlargement of the auditorium, installation of a giant aquarium, and the introduction of the first aquatic ballet.The Revue Cancan, devised by Doris Haug and Ruggero Angeletti, premiered the same year.
Since 1963, following the success of the Frou-Frou revue, Jacki Clérico adopted a tradition of naming revues with titles beginning with the letter F. Throughout these productions, the famed French cancan remained a staple feature:[15]
On 7 September 1979, the Moulin Rouge marked its 90th anniversary, reaffirming its status as a prominent fixture in Parisian nightlife. The celebration featured an array of stars, includingGinger Rogers,Thierry Le Luron,Dalida, andCharles Aznavour, among others. Notable events followed, including a special presentation of the show to Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II on 23 November 1981. The venue hosted renowned performers such asLiza Minnelli in February 1982, followed by gala performances withDean Martin in July 1984 andFrank Sinatra in September 1984. A milestone occurred on 1 December 1986, when world-renowned dancerMikhail Baryshnikov premiered an original ballet byMaurice Béjart at the Moulin Rouge.
In February 1988, despite the original building's destruction in 1915, the Moulin Rouge celebrated its centenary with the premiere of the revue "Formidable," a prestigious event attended byPrince Edward. Subsequent events included performances in London and gala celebrations featuring an array of luminaries, including Charles Aznavour,Ella Fitzgerald, andJerry Lewis. Over the years, the Moulin Rouge continued to host charitable events, such as theCartier gala in support of the Artists' Foundation againstAIDS in 1994, and theLancôme gala in 1995. The centenary revue "Formidable" concluded in November 1999, paving the way for the debut of the new revue "Féerie" in December 1999.
In 2008, soloist dancerAleksandar Josipović served as master of ceremonies at the53rd Eurovision Song Contest. The venue's global reach extended further in February 2009 when it was showcased as part of the Year of France in Brazil and theRio Carnival onCopacabana Beach. However, on 13 January 2013, Moulin Rouge owner Jacki Clérico passed away,[14] followed by the death of Doris Haug, founder of the Doris's Girls, on 10 August 2014.[16] Despite these losses, the Moulin Rouge celebrated its 125th anniversary on 6 October 2014.
On 25 April 2024, the cabaret's windmill blades collapsed onto the street, resulting in damage to the facade. No injuries were reported.[17][7] The windmill was restored on 5 July that year, in time for theOlympic torch relay that passed through the area on 15 July.[18][19]
The Moulin Rouge in Paris was a source of inspiration for:
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