Montmartre · Paris
Moulin Rouge
The red windmill that invented modern cabaret
At the foot of the Montmartre hill, the crimson silhouette of the Moulin Rouge has been switching on at dusk since 1889. The show — 60 dancers, 1,000 costumes and the famous French cancan — has run almost every night for more than a century.
A little history
Opened during the Belle Époque, the Moulin Rouge quickly became the muse of painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose posters helped invent modern advertising. The current show, Féerie, has been performed since 1999.
Visitor tips
Book weeks ahead in summer; the front tables sell out first.
Smart-casual dress code — no shorts, sportswear or trainers.
The 23:00 show is usually easier to book and slightly cheaper.
The building itself makes a great photo from the traffic island opposite.
