128 years ago in humble little Paris, France, was a lifestyle of flashing red lights, beautiful women, and aggressive heels clicking against wooden floors. Inside a seemingly innocent red windmill was a noisy cabaret, filled with drunken laughter, lusty glances, and red-lipped women dancing the can-can.
This was the ever prestigious 82 Boulevard de Clichy in Paris’ Quartier Pigalle—otherwise known to most as the Moulin Rouge: a dance hall which attracted people from all walks of life—smart, intelligible academes, penniless noblemen, and filthily rich villains. A model of a frivolous, sophisticated night life, Moulin Rouge housed some of the most risqué, most exuberant memories of Parisian vintage life.
Founded in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler, the Moulin Rouge stood mightily at the bottom of a hill in humble Montmarte. With the objective of creating a source of entertainment for Parisians, Zidler and Oller’s little passion project soon turned into one of the most legendary spectacles in Paris.
Through the years, the eponymousMoulin Rougue experienced a multitude of different transformations. From cabaret to theater, cinema to music-hall, the space has earned its name as one of Paris’ true gems—a place tourists from around the world travel far and wide to visit until today.
In celebration of its 128th Anniversary, here’s a look back at the vibrant, spectacular lifestyle of the one and only Moulin Rouge:
FRANCE – CIRCA 1895: Paris (XVIIIth district). The Moulin Rouge (Red Windmill), by E. Lagrange. (Photo by LL/Roger Viollet/Getty Images)
Moulin Rouge, Montmartre, Paris. In the background a gigantic model elephant looms over a stage on which ballet dancers are posed. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American sailors enjoy themselves at the Moulin Rouge in Paris during World War I, circa 1918. (Photo by Paul Thompson/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
19th February 1924: The Hoffman Girls backstage before appearing at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
FRANCE – JANUARY 01: Preparation Of The Moulin Rouge’S Dancers Around 1930. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
3rd February 1926: Dancer Edmonde Guydens dancing at the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris in a costume made of lace. (Photo by Rahma/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Danseuses de revue en pleine chorégraphie au Moulin-Rouge vers 1928.
Dancers of the Moulin Rouge practicing in the park Bois de Boulogne. Paris. About 1930. Photograph. (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Danseuses du Moulin Rouge à Paris, France en 1932. (Photo by Keystone-FranceGamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
High-kicking French Cancan dancers perform on stage at the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
Dancers getting ready for their “La Goulue” performance in the dressing room of the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
Alice and Ellen Kassler Dancers in Paris’ Bluebell Troupe
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
Alice and Ellen Kassler Dancers in Paris’ Bluebell Troupe
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
Margaret Kelly Dancers of England performing French Cancan routine on stage at the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
FRENCH CAN-CAN AT THE MOULIN ROUGE
Alice and Ellen Kassler Dancers in Paris’ Bluebell Troupe
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