Moulin Rouge

About Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge opened in 1889 at the foot of Montmartre, in the Pigalle district of Paris, and its red windmill on the roof has been a landmark of the Boulevard de Clichy ever since. It was here that the modern cancan took shape, danced by the performers who would later be painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and the cabaret quickly became shorthand for Paris nightlife at the turn of the century. More than 130 years on, it still runs its "Feerie" revue, a stage show built around dozens of dancers in feathers and rhinestones, alongside acrobatic and variety acts between the dance numbers.

A visit here is an evening out rather than a daytime sight. Shows are typically offered either on their own or as a package with a seated dinner or a glass of Champagne, and seating tends to be arranged by ticket category, so where you sit depends on what you book. There's a dress code: smart clothing is expected, and shorts, sportswear, and trainers are usually turned away. Photography inside the auditorium during the performance is not permitted, which catches a lot of first-timers off guard.

Getting there is straightforward. The Blanche metro station sits almost directly outside, and the surrounding Pigalle streets are lively into the night. If you're combining it with sightseeing, the hill of Montmartre and the Sacre-Coeur are a short walk uphill, best done earlier in the day before an evening show. Booking ahead is sensible, especially for weekend dates and the dinner packages, which sell out well before the show-only seats do.