The Moulin Rouge, emblem of the capital and Parisian nightlife, caused a stir last April when its mythical wings collapsed on the public highway, a victim of the weather and its dilapidated condition. It has to be said, it's been feeling a little bare ever since. On Monday morning, the Pigalle cabaret was reunited with its temporary wings. The new steel and aluminum blades, each weighing 110 kilos, respect the original aesthetic.
The meticulous installation of the new wings was carried out behind a tarpaulin, which was removed with the scaffolding on July 1. To celebrate the return of the cabaret's iconic wings to the Parisian landscape, on Friday, July 5, 2024, the cabaret staged a sound and light happening, accompanied by a French Cancan performed by some twenty dancers in the Place Blanche. We invite you to relive this colorful event from a bird's eye view.
This event also marks the return to its habit of lights before the Olympic Games. The temporary wings will not rotate, but their installation is an important step before the arrival of the definitive versions. The Moulin Rouge's new wings were built by CMP, a company specializing in structural steelwork. Stéphane Rousseau, the architect in charge, supervised the operation, which took two hours to hoist and install each wing.
The Moulin Rouge, emblematic of Paris's Pigalle district, opened in 1889 under the impetus of Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler. Located at the foot of Montmartre Hill, the cabaret immediately stood out for its festive atmosphere and extravagant decor. Its famous red windmill on the façade quickly became a symbol of Parisian nightlife. Designed to attract a bourgeois clientele in search of fun, the Moulin Rouge offered original shows featuring dancers, musicians and acrobats. It was here that the French cancan became popular, thanks to artists such as La Goulue and Jane Avril, who fascinated audiences with their daring, energetic performances.
Over the decades, the Moulin Rouge has adapted to cultural changes while retaining its spirit of celebration and freedom. In the 1920s, it became a meeting place for artists and intellectuals such as Picasso and Cocteau. After a fire in 1915, it rose from the ashes to continue to shine on the Parisian scene. Today, the cabaret remains a must-see destination for visitors from all over the world, offering spectacular revues such as the famous "Féerie". The Moulin Rouge embodies the very essence of Parisian festivity, blending tradition and modernity in a whirlwind of feathers, sequins and music.
Note that this event precedes another great date: the passage of the Olympic flame past the Moulin Rouge on July 15, where a son et lumière show and a French Cancan will be performed. For those who missed this one, it's another date to take note of.
The cabaret, founded in 1889, will celebrate its 135th anniversary on October 6, with its new wings. We'll have to wait several more months for the mill to be fitted with its definitive wings - those capable of turning, unlike the temporary blades.
Location
Moulin Rouge
82 boulevard de Clichy
75018 Paris 18
Official website
www.moulinrouge.fr
