20 Fabulous Moulin Rouge Facts: History, Cabaret & High Kicks!

These fascinating Moulin Rouge facts are bound to inspire your own visit to the historic Paris theatre!

If you are planning a visit to Paris, or are already living here, it’s likely that a visit to the Moulin Rouge is high on your bucket list. After all, the brilliant neon facade of the Paris cabaret has beckoned visitors through its doors for almost a century and a half. 

Knowing a little about the Moulin Rouge and its fascinating story will elevate any visit here, and that’s where The Paris Teachers Club comes in. Our list of the most fascinating Moulin Rouge facts covers everything from its storied history to how to venue operates today, and everything in between.

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1. The Moulin Rouge opened in 1889

The Moulin Rouge opened its doors 135 years ago this year! 

2. It put the can-can on the map 

The Moulin Rouge is often credited as being the birthplace of the famous can-can dance, a high-energy performance full of high kicks and yells. In fact, The can-can dates back to decades before the theatre opened, and evolved from a dance called a “quadrille”. This scandalous dance was actually toured abroad by French performers, before it found its unofficial home at the Moulin Rouge and was transformed into the can-can you know today. 

3. It launched cabaret across Europe

Paris did it first, and seeing the popularity of cabaret at the Moulin Rouge, cabaret venues rapidly started popping up across Europe. 

4. The original Moulin Rouge burnt down

The original theatre was destroyed by fire in 1915, and it didn’t reopen for another nine years.  

5. It was the first electric building in Paris 

The famous exterior of the Moulin Rouge was actually the first electrically powered building in the city! As a result, its dynamic facade tempted visitors passing through the area, which was often ensconced in darkness after hours. 

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6. They audition for dancers across the world

You don’t have to be French to join the dancing team at the Moulin Rouge. In fact, the theatre holds travelling auditions for dancers each year, including on the ground in the USA, Canada and Australia. Both male and female dancers have important roles to play at the Moulin Rouge.

7. All costumes are handmade

All of the extravagant costumes worn by performers at the Moulin Rouge are either made in-house, or crafted by local ateliers in Paris. 

8. The venue has inspired many movies

A world renowned venue like the Moulin Rouge was always bound to find its way into the movies. Of course, there’s the showstopping feature Moulin Rouge!, but the theatre has also appeared in many lesser known French films, from the golden days of cinema through until today.

9. 600,000 people visit the Moulin Rouge each year 

That’s a lot of visitors! The performers here entertain patrons from every corner of the globe. 

10. 1500 people are employed by the Moulin Rouge

It takes a village to keep the Moulin Rouge running and those high kicks coming! The employees at the theatre range from the famous on-stage dancers (there’s more than 80 at any time!), to waiters, choreographers, costume designers, maintenance people, sales experts and many more experts in the world of cabaret.

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11. The story behind “The Red Windmill”

Moulin Rouge literally translates to “Red Windmill”, and the red windmill on its roof has helped make it a world recognised venue. But why the red windmill? The Paris district of Montmartre was known for its many windmills, and the origin story of the theatre dates back to the early 1800s. When four brothers fought to defend their property from Russian invaders, three of the brothers were killed. Their graves were marked by their mother with a red windmill. Many believe the red windmill and the theatre’s name was a tribute to these men by the original owners of the Moulin Rouge.

12. 250,000 bottles of champagne are opened here each year! 

That’s a lot of bubbly! 

13. Famous names throughout history have popped in

Many famous faces throughout history, from its earliest years until today, have made an appearance at the Moulin Rouge, either to perform or to simply take in the spectacle. French artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec was arguably the most famous patron of the theatre, but since then, renowned names like Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John and Liza Minnelli have passed through its doors. In its heyday, the dancers of the Moulin Rouge also became wildly famous across Europe.  

14. Performers must do their own makeup

We are obsessed with behind the scenes social media content made by performers at the Moulin Rouge. One of our favourites is Allie Goodbun, a Canadian who has been a dancer at the theatre for two years. Her BTS videos illustrate the often-frantic nature of what it takes to put together each nightly show. Performers become masters of applying their own makeup, dressing themselves in often-complex costumes and knowing exactly what needs to be done when to keep the show running smoothly. It’s fun to watch! 

15. The Moulin Rouge was originally a large entertainment complex

The early days of the Moulin Rouge were a lot more wild than today, which seems tame in comparison. The theatre was actually an entire entertainment complex, complete with private rooms for performances, an enormous garden with a gigantic plaster elephant, dance halls and more.

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16. Two shows a night are staged

The Moulin Rouge dancers have one of the most physically demanding performing jobs out there. Each night, they put on two full-length shows, with a brief break in between. The last show doesn’t wrap up until the early morning hours. Add to that rapid costume changes and coordinating 80 dancers behind the scenes and you’ll see why it’s a big event that the theatre puts on every single night! 

17. The Moulin Rouge put Montmartre on the map 

The bohemian Parisian enclave of Montmartre still feels like stepping back into history even today. It is marked by cobblestone streets and charming original buildings, and was actually a village in the city once upon a time. The Moulin Rouge is arguably the district’s most famous landmark, but it actually sits on the outskirts of Montmartre, in the historic entertainment quarter of Pigalle. 

18. The shows here get a little risqué 

While the theatre’s official stance is that shows are for all ages, children must still be accompanied by an adult. Many of the performances at the Moulin Rouge feature the dancers in barely-there outfits, so shows are best kept for adult entertainment. 

19. The area is a lively hub of entertainment 

Pigalle, where the Moulin Rouge is located, is a historic district of Paris that has its roots as the capital’s red lights district. Even today, the area is a happening hub of entertainment offerings, including cocktail bars, raucous clubs and a non-stop atmosphere. Now considered one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Paris, it’s absolutely worth a night out here! 

20. You can experience the excitement of the Moulin Rouge for yourself 

Even today, almost a century and a half after it first opened its doors, hundreds of thousands of annual visitors experience the unique thrill that is the Moulin Rouge, and you can too! Purchase your tickets for a show on the official Moulin Rouge website. You can even enjoy your evening with dinner and drinks! 

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Did you learn any Moulin Rouge facts that you didn’t know before?

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