a brief history

The Moulin Rouge opens at the foot of the Montmartre hill. The aim of its founders, Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler, is to allow the very rich to come and slum it in a fashionable district, where people live differently from other parts of Paris. The place attracts men and women, the middle classes, and rich foreigners passing through Paris, as well as artists and ordinary folk. There was much laughter at the many acts that became famous (Pétomane, the clowns Footit and Chocolat, etc.). The French cancan, a new dance inspired by the quadrille, enchanted the spectators. Nicknamed “The First Palace of Women” by Oller and Zidler, the cabaret quickly becomes a great success.

The first revue, Circassiens et Circassiennes is launched. Toulouse-Lautrec creates the posters for the Moulin Rouge from 1891, the first being La Goulue.

The first appearance of Mistinguett onstage at the Moulin Rouge in the Revue de la Femme. The following year she has a huge success with Max Dearly in la Valse chaloupée.

The Moulin Rouge becomes a real temple of operetta. Further successful shows followed: Voluptata, La Feuille de Vigne, le Rêve d’Egypte, etc.

The ballroom is transformed into the most ultra-modern nightclub of the time. The Moulin Rouge welcomes the Cotton Club in 1937.

Francis Salabert takes charge of the Moulin Rouge. The venue becomes an iconic music hall and experiences a new popularity thanks to Jacques-Charles and Mistinguett — their shows that were to become mythical: la Revue Mistinguett (1925), Ça c’est Paris (1926), Paris qui tourne (1928). American revues, including the Hoffmann Girls, are put on for the first time in Paris.

Georges France, called Jo France, founder of the Balajo, acquires the Moulin Rouge and starts major renovation work. The evening dances, the acts, and, of course, the famous French cancan, are all back at the Moulin Rouge, and numerous famous French and international artists step out into the limelight.

Jo France transfers the Moulin Rouge to the brothers Joseph and Louis Clérico, who already own the Lido. The famous French cancan is still performed, soon choreographed by Ruggero Angeletti and danced by the Doriss Girls.

Jacki Clérico, son of Joseph Clérico, takes charge of the Moulin Rouge. It is the start of a new era: enlargement of the auditorium, installation of a giant aquarium, and the first aquatic ballet. Frou Frou of 1963 and its ensuing success marked the beginning of the series of shows beginning with an “F,” their lucky letter, including 10 shows up to the latest revue.

Moulin Rouge and its 60 artists celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Féerie revue show: two hours of amazement between cabaret and music-hall styles where dance scenes and surprise acts intersperse — without forgetting the Moulin Rouge’s most emblematic dance, the French cancan!

The iconic Moulin Rouge, famous around the world, celebrates its 135th anniversary.