Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge opened in 1889 on the Boulevard de Clichy at the foot of Montmartre, the same year as the Eiffel Tower, and its red windmill has been a landmark of the Pigalle area ever since. It is the cabaret that made the French cancan famous, and its early years were recorded in the posters and paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Today it stages a single revue, Féerie, with a large cast of dancers, elaborate feathered and sequinned costumes and a succession of set pieces.

The show combines big ensemble numbers, the cancan finale and speciality acts between the dance scenes. It is a polished, high-budget production rather than an intimate cabaret, and the costumes and staging are the main attraction. Some numbers include topless dancers, which is standard for a Parisian revue, so families should consider this when deciding whether to bring children.

There are two main ways to see the show. The Dinner & Show evening starts at 7pm and includes dinner, the show and champagne, while later performances can be booked with champagne only. Both are sold through the official website, and booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially at weekends and in summer. The theatre seats guests at long tables close together, so expect to share space with other groups. Smart dress is expected, so leave sportswear and beachwear at the hotel.

The Moulin Rouge suits couples, groups of friends and anyone curious about the history of Parisian entertainment. It is a once-in-a-trip experience for most visitors, priced accordingly, and it pays to book directly with the venue rather than through unofficial resellers. Allow around two hours for the show alone and about four hours with dinner. Photography and filming are not allowed during the performance.

Blanche station on metro line 2 is right outside, and Pigalle on lines 2 and 12 is a short walk east. The windmill itself is best photographed from the central reservation of the boulevard after dark. From here you can walk up Rue Lepic, past the Café des Deux Moulins and the old windmills of Montmartre, towards the Place du Tertre and Sacré-Cœur, or explore the bars and music venues of South Pigalle around Rue Frochot and Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.