Moulin Rouge Cabaret

To speak about cabaret and Paris can only mean one thing: to speak about the big one, to speak about the famous Moulin Rouge (Red Mill). The Moulin Rouge is without a doubt the most famous cabaret in the world. The Moulin Rouge has become an emblem of Paris, even comparable to the Eiffel Tower.

This famous cabaret was built in 1889 by Josep Oller and Charles Zidler in the red light district of Pigalle, at the foot of Montmartre. Since then it has been the centre of Parisian nightlife. The building, that resembles a huge mill with rotating blades included, has housed such incredible artists such as Edith Piaf, Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Ginger Rogers or Yves Montand. But if there is anyone who stood out especially in the Moulin Rouge, that would be Celeste Mogador, creator of the famous Quadrille, the devilish dance that the whole Paris use to go wild about and that later gave origin to the famous French cancan.

At that time the Montmartre district was in fashion, but people of bad reputation and prostitutes used to meet and congregate there. What at first was a stronghold for humble people soon became a sumptuous salon frequented by the Parisian aristocracy. Today it is an essential stop for thousands of tourists who travel to Paris. Nowadays it continues offering a variety of shows set in the bohemian air of the Belle Époque, still present inside the building.

At first it was a temple for the spectacle of opera and a dance hall. Over time it became one of the first establishments where stripping was carried out to the astonishment of all. Currently it offers a variety of shows involving 100 artists (60 of them are the famous “Doriss Girls” – the legendary Moulin Rouge beauties/dancers). It also offers an excellent cuisine.

The Moulin Rouge has been an inspiration for the post-impressionist painter Toulouse-Lautrec. It was also the title of a book that would give origin to the movie with the same name filmed in 1952 and which starred José Ferrer and Zsa Gabor. Years later, in 2001, a new film was inspired and called Moulin Rouge, this time starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor and nominated for an Oscar.

To enjoy a night at the Moulin Rouge it would set you back around 100 € to see the show, and between 140 and 170 € for a dinner and show. Do you want to know more about it? Rent the best apartments in Paris and discover the magic of the world’s most famous cabaret.