Moulin Rouge
Over a hundred years of bawdy fun.
Alex Q. Arbuckle
1890-2015
The gardens of the Moulin Rouge, featuring a massive hollow elephant.
Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1889, businessmen Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler bought the decrepit White Queen Dance Hall in the seedy Quartier Pigalle of Paris. They completely renovated the space and placed a vibrant red windmill on the roof. That's how the new cabaret club earned its name, Moulin Rouge.The venue soon became notorious for its provocative can-can dances and raucous atmosphere. The dancers became famous in their own right. They included Louise Weber, “The Glutton,” known for whirling through the crowd and stealing patrons’ drinks; Mistinguett, who went on to become the highest-paid female entertainer in the world, with legs insured for 500,000 francs.The patrons ranged from rowdy locals to rich tourists to famous artists, such as Post-Impressionist painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who attended the club nightly and painted the scenes inside. In 1900, the owners purchased a massive wooden elephant, which they placed in the club’s gardens. They installed a spiral staircase leading up to the belly of the beast, where intimate dances were performed. The club burned down in 1915 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1921. During the Nazi occupation of Paris, it was listed as a “must-visit” for German soldiers.The Moulin Rouge was the inspiration and setting for Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film of the same name, and is still in operation today.
Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images
Credit: LL/Roger Viollet/Getty Images
American sailors visit the Moulin Rouge during World War I.
Credit: Paul Thompson/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Hoffman Girls backstage before a performance.
Credit: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Dancers apply makeup in the dressing room.
Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
Edmonde Guydens dances at the Moulin Rouge.
Credit: Rahma/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images
Credit: ullstein bild/Getty Images
Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images
Moulin Rouge dancers practice in the Bois de Boulogne.
Credit: Imagno/Getty Images
Moulin Rouge dancers visit the Eiffel Tower.
Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images
Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Occupying German soldiers pass by the Moulin Rouge.
Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images
German soldiers talk to French women during the occupation of Paris.
Credit: Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images
Credit: Images: Francois LE DIASCORN/RAPHO/Getty Images
Credit: Messerschmidt/ullstein bild/Getty Images
Credit: Brad Rickerby/Getty Images
Dancers at the Moulin Rouge attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive high kicks by a single chorus line in 30 seconds.
Credit: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Credit: Rosetta Bonatti/Getty Images
