Known for its French Cancan, gorgeous dancers, spectacular settings and the costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins, the Moulin Rouge has become synonymous with the City of Light. The story gegins in 1889 when Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler open Moulin Rouge with the first Quadrille Realiste, which the English christen as the French Cancan and painter Toulouse-Lautrec immortalises with La Goulue, the first ever poster for the Moulin Rouge. With boisterous rhythm and skirts being lifted in the air to reveal the dancers’ legs and frilly panties, the dance became a success, attracting people from all over, from princes to artists.

Beautiful, glamorous and festive, the show constantly reinvents itself, through always keeping the Cancan on the dance menu. In 1907 Mistinguette and Jacques Charles introduced and created the first La Revue, with the grand stairway, the chorus girls and boys, and of course the saucy costumes. Under the direction of Jacki Clérico, the current owner, more revues followed, Frou Frou, Fascination, Fantastic, Festival, Follement, Frénésie, Femmes Femmes Femmes, and Formidable. Beginning with the lucky letter “F”, Féerie, the current revue is a feast for the eye. With 60 Doriss Girls, 1000 costumes designed by Corrado Collabucci, stage decor designed by Gaetano Castelli, music by Pierre Porte, 80 musicians and 60 members making up the chorus, this show is an audience’s dream. Sit back, enjoy a glass of champagne and watch as the lights are dimmed and the curtain is raised to reveal an experience of a lifetime.

Throughout the years many international stars have graced Moulin Rouge’s stage, including Edith Piaf, Lisa Minelli, Franck Sinatra and Ginger Rogers, and many dignitaries have been part of the audience, including Empress Eugenie, French President Vincent Auriol, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Queen Elisabeth II. Today the story continues with millions of spectators coming to admire the famous show, with Féerie continuing the tradition.

If you are looking for an hotel near the Moulin Rouge, have a look at our selection of hotels in the neighbourhood

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