Why did the original 'Moulin Rouge', a cabaret located in Paris, have a windmill as part of its facade?

On October 6, 1889, the 'Moulin Rouge' (English: The Red Mill) opened in the Jardin de Paris (English: Paris Garden) at the foot of the Montmartre hill. Two entrepreneurial businessmen, a Spaniard, Joseph Oller and his manager Charles Ziegler understood the public's tastes and decided to cater to the very rich to come and 'slum it' in the fashionable Montmartre district. The two businnesmen named it 'The First Palace of Women'. The cabaret venue quickly became a success.

The facade was decorated with glittering lights, which were a novelty at the time, with a huge red windmill at the very front of the building. The red windmill was designed to indicate the history of Montmartre, a village that once had many windmills in it.

The 'Moulin Rouge' burned down in 1915 and when rebuilt, it went though many transformations over the years as it tried to find its place in French society. After WWI, musicals and cabaret shows were featured. In the 1950's it was converted into a cinema for a while with a diner-spectacle show. Today it is a tourist attraction offering musical dance entertainment.

More Info: rarehistoricalphotos.com

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12 Comments

Ellen Duff

My husband planned a weekend surprise for my birthday to Paris It was the most wonderful weekend and going to the Moulin Rouge was part of it Loved it

James Clausen

Cari G., You don't go for the food.

deborahpmercer

Have only ever seen it from the outside. Good question.

Cari G.

The food wasn't very good considering the price of admission.

Richard G Schwartz

Very interesting q and a.

Cora Jeske

njmuscat, absinthe was very popular

filmnut

‘Moulin Rouge’ “The Red Windmill’ visions of the “Green Fairy” and dens of iniquity.

George Oliver Prince

Educated guess, learned something

Alana King

Yes, the Moulin Rouge de Paris certainly has a rich history. While yes, there were cabaret shows, I agree with Bob deRoos on its side history as a brothel. While a cinematic take, Baz Lurhman's interpretation did get some of the history right, with the Montmartre courtesans, even if he did change Ziegler's name from Charles to Harold. The can-can dance also has its origins with the brothels, as, back in the 19th century and earlier, it was risqué and seductive to show leg or anything up the skirt. Of course, now it is more tasteful, as a cabaret and theatre show, also adding to a dinner experience. My mother and uncle went when she was younger. Being 21, he was allowed in the casino. I do hope to visit it one day.

Bob deRoos

A final explanation is that the area around Montmartre has been a red-light district since the sixteenth century, when the forty-odd windmills dotting the hillside all doubled as brothels. (The millers apparently found it useful to provide their workers with a motivational form of entertainment while they worked.) This interesting form of compensation is apparently the origin of the French phrase ‘entrer comme dans un moulin’ which means to enter a place freely – all were welcome at the windmills!

Joy Holbrook

I was privileged to go to a midnight show at the Moulin Rouge in 2009. It's the most sophisticated, entertaining show and was a night I'll never forget. A must add to your bucket list.