The Untold Story of Moulin Rouge

The Untold Story of Moulin Rouge

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at The Untold Story of The Moulin Rouge.

For this video, we’ll be exploring the history, people, and events that shaped this iconic Parisian landmark and inspired filmmakers to tell its story.

Have you ever been to the Moulin Rouge? You “can-can” share your experience in the comments

If you’re a fan of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 “Spectacular, Spectacular” jukebox movie musical, the name of a certain historical figure might ring a bell. In the film, he’s the bohemian performer who becomes enamored with Christian’s work and hires him to write for his troupe.

In reality, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was an artist who famously provided insight into the seedy underbelly of Parisian life. He rose to fame by illustrating proceedings at Paris’s cabaret clubs, bars, and brothels.

In 1891, he was hired to design posters for the city’s newest entertainment center, the Moulin Rouge. He became a devoted patron and befriended many of its performers. Apparently, it was his favorite hangout, and he visited so often that he even had a permanently reserved seat.

Luhrmann’s reimagining begins in 1900, with Christian reflecting on his year of love and loss. But we’re going back even further to 1889 when businessmen Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller co-founded this now-iconic landmark. As we see in the movie, Paris’ Montmartre neighborhood was a haven for creative and free-spirited types. The co-founders wanted to create a place where the more liberal-minded upper class could leave stringent social expectations at the door and just have a good time. The venue welcomed customers from all economic statuses and created a crème de la crème experience for everyone. Of course, it helped that they kept the champagne flowing. Even today, half a bottle of bubbly is included in ticket prices.

Satine’s grand entrance and subsequent “Sparkling Diamonds” performance is undeniably one of the film’s many highlights. But is it close to what you would’ve actually seen at the real Moulin Rouge? Possibly. It was indeed home to dancing courtesans, but that was far from the only source of entertainment. If anything, it reminds us more of “The Greatest Showman” with dancers, acrobats, clowns, singers, and more.

The lavish main hall designed by Adolphe Willette featured an extravagant chandelier, expansive dance floor, and mirrored walls so you wouldn’t miss anything. As we see in the film, patrons and performers mingled on the dance floor. Incidentally, there really was a huge stucco elephant in the venue’s garden, created initially for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. However, unlike its purpose in the movie, it’s believed to have been used as an opium den. Of course, the Moulin Rouge is especially known for showcasing one very famous dance style.

While the can-can wasn’t invented there— its origins can be traced back to the 1820s— The Moulin Rouge did make the dance famous. Supposedly “can-can” was 19th-century French slang for “scandal.” And scandalous it certainly was. The spirited choreography featured high-kicks, splits, and cartwheels, all while wearing layered petticoats. However, it was so shocking because the high kicks were designed to give audiences a peek underneath if you catch our drift. Contrary to popular belief, though, men also performed the dance.

In 1894, Nini Pattes en l’air (Nini Legs in the Air) —yes, like in the film — was supposedly the first dancer to teach the can-can professionally. This acrobatic and lively dance changed the face of cabaret performances and continues to do so.

The dance has become a mainstay in popular cabaret dance culture. But while it’s arguably less shocking today, it’s still known for being exceptionally strenuous. Today, the dancers perform twice an evening with up to 12 costumes and only 90 seconds to get changed and back on stage. As the Moulin Rouge’s ballet mistress and artistic director, Janet Pharaoh, told the BBC, the performers need to be outstanding dancers, look the part and bring plenty of character. Or, in her words, “[we’re] looking for this all-round package that’s really quite rare.” The dance may have evolved, but it’s still the ultimate showstopper. If you’re thinking of becoming a Moulin Rouge dancer, you'll want to start warming up now.

Unfortunately, the Moulin Rouge that stands today isn’t the same one that patrons first entered in 1889. In 1903, architect Édouard Niermans spruced up the venue to match their fashionably modern customers. Sadly, in 1915, a fire burned the place down. It reopened in 1921 and rebranded as a music hall featuring operettas. In 1929 it was reinvented again as a cinema and nightclub. The venue continued to thrive throughout the Second World War and was often visited by German officers. In 1944, shortly before Paris’ liberation Edith Piaf started performing at the venue. While she escaped controversy, many other Moulin Rouge performers were reprimanded for “fraternizing with the enemy.” In the 1950s, a new owner, Georges France, restored the venue to its cabaret roots.

Satine’s depicted as a favorite main attraction at the Moulin Rouge in Luhrmann’s flick. But, while that character might be fictional, the venue indeed produced some major stars. Louise Weber, aka La Goulue, became known as the “Queen of the can-can.” There’s an amusing anecdote about how one evening, she spotted the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and mid-cartwheel yelled out, “Hey, Wales, the champagne’s on you!” She was a favorite of Toulouse-Lautrec, as was Jane Avril, a particularly remarkable dancer, and circus bareback rider.

One performer who especially caused shockwaves was Sidonie Gabrielle Colette. A talented writer, Colette began her career as a music hall act and performed at the great Moulin Rouge alongside the famous Marquise de Morny. Their show, “Egyptian Dream,” was quite out there for the early 1900s and even quite shocking by Moulin Rouge standards. The Chief of Police even warned that he’d close the place down if they performed it again. What could have possibly caused such outrage? Well, the two women shared a kiss. Nudity? Fine. Substance use? Sure. Two women locking lips? Well, we never… seriously, though. Come on.

The 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor is arguably the most famous reimagining of the Moulin Rouge’s colorful past. However, it's far from the only time the legendary venue featured in popular culture. It’s been the subject of many books, documentaries, and even music videos. To date, there are about 14 movies depicting life at the iconic landmark, from the silent movie “Moulin Rouge Dancers 1&2” in 1898 to the star-studded “Midnight in Paris” in 2011. And in 2018, Luhrmann’s version received a stage adaptation. With such a fascinating history, is it any wonder filmmakers, artists, and authors are so drawn to this venue? After all, it was built to serve creative minds.

Next time you’re in Paris, with roughly €100-150 to spare, head on into the Moulin Rouge. You’ll bask in the tremendous architecture and more than 130 years of entertainment and cultural history. The Moulin Rouge was reportedly the first building in Paris to have electricity. It also holds several world records, including the most simultaneous high kicks in 30 seconds by a single chorus line.

Unsurprisingly, the show brings in about 600,000 visitors per year. Since the success of its 1963 “Frou-Frou” set, the owner Jacki Clérico superstitiously declared that all revues choose titles beginning with the letter “F.” So, since 1999, audiences have enjoyed the stage show “Féerie.” An ensemble of sixty or so insanely talented dancers blows audiences away twice a night, six days a week, all year round. “Come What May” there will never be anything quite like the Moulin Rouge.