monument
Moulin Rouge
A cabaret opened in 1889 at the foot of Montmartre, birthplace of the French cancan and immortalised by Toulouse-Lautrec.
History & context
Opened in 1889, the same year as the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge launched the french cancan and became the symbol of Belle Époque Paris.
Immortalised by Toulouse-Lautrec's posters, it is still a working cabaret at the foot of the Montmartre hill, recognisable by its illuminated red windmill.
Key facts
- Built
- 1889
- District
- 18th — Pigalle
Why visit
- ·An iconic façade, free to see from the boulevard
- ·A living piece of Parisian cabaret history
- ·A natural gateway into Montmartre from the north
What to see
- ·The façade and its illuminated windmill
- ·Boulevard de Clichy
- ·The Pigalle district
- ·The climb up to Montmartre
Practical tips
- ·Photographing the façade is free; shows must be booked in advance
- ·The area is very busy at night, stick to the main streets
- ·Combine with a late-day walk in Montmartre
Best photo spots
- ·From the opposite pavement of boulevard de Clichy, the whole windmill in frame
- ·At dusk, when the red neon comes on
Good to know
- ·Pigalle is lively at night: stick to the busy main streets
- ·Shows are booked in advance and require smart dress
- ·Seeing the lit façade costs nothing and takes five minutes
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Chain it up: photograph the windmill at nightfall, then walk quietly up the hill via rue Lepic.
Nearby
Montmartre
A village perched on its hill, Montmartre was home to Picasso, Modigliani, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Place du Tertre
A small village square at the top of the Montmartre hill, filled with the easels of portrait and landscape painters.
Sacré-Cœur
White basilica atop Montmartre, completed in 1914, offering one of the finest views of Paris.