Hotel next to The Moulin Rouge
Located less than 200 meters from the Relais Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge is the oldest, most famous, most sophisticated, and biggest Parisian cabaret. Judging by the scores of specialized reviewing websites, this address is a hit with everyone.
What is the story of this mythical place? What makes exceptional this tenor of the entertainment industry? What will you see and eat you if you come to the Moulin Rouge?
A bit of history
It’s on October 6 1889 that Joseph Oller, Creator of the Olympia, and Charles Zidler open the Moulin Rouge. The shows are marked by a variety of attractions inspired by the circus and is largely dedicated to clowning. Every day at 22:00 there are organized concert balls. The first review was launched in 1890 when the famous la Goulue, Leg in the air, calls out to the Prince of Wales from the stage with informal address.
The architecture of the hall is innovative and allows for quick scene changes. The champagne flows, there is singing, dancing, laughing. This is the Paris of the “Belle Époque”.
The Moulin Rouge is frequented by artists. Toulouse Lautrec created posters and paintings. The renown of the Moulin Rouge comes quickly.
Over 125 years of shows, where the French Cancan is of course honored, makes this the oldest of Paris and one of the most legendary cabarets in the world. Attendees include Colette, Mistinguett, Maurice Chevalier, Josephine Baker, Elza Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Yves Montand, Charles Trenet, Charles Aznavour and many others.
Veritable war machine
Everything is designed in order to present the great, traditional Music Hall Paris review. Nearly 2,000 spectators go each evening to one of the two reviews, 365 days a year. The Moulin Rouge team consists of 400 people, including 100 artists, 80 dancers (male and female), 18 dressers.
12 people, embroiderers, dressmakers, milliner, are responsible for the maintenance of 1,000 tailored costumes. The feathers are of course paramount, to the point where in 2009, the Moulin Rouge bought “Maison février”, feather worker since 1929, which threatened to close. No expense is spared in organizing the magic. Just one outfit for the final tableau costs € 10,000.
There are 40 dancers on stage for the finale. To meet the challenges of putting shoes on 80 dancers, it is the shoemaker Clairvoy who makes and maintains since 1945 each of the 800 pairs of shoes needing to get through on average 2,000 shows. The craftsman has set up shop a few meters from the Moulin Rouge.
A benchmark dance magazine that sets high standards
The Moulin Rouge holds auditions each year for 500 dancers, keeping sometimes just 5 to 10. Artists come from around the world, so the rehearsals are done in English. Classical or jazz training is required, of course. The minimum height for females is 1m75, and 1m85 for males.
These two nightly shows that the dancers have to provide, as well as the French Cancan which is an important moment for the review, demands a good physical condition and necessitates a 30-minute warm-up. The average age of the dancers is 23.
Gargantuan business
As for the table, 600 meals are day need to be prepared and served.
Previously served by Dalloyau, the Moulin Rouge decided in February to recruit its chef, David Le Quellec, as well as 24 team members. David Quellec gained his experience from Taillevent, Ledoyen (3 Michelin stars), and at George V (2 Michelin stars).
Practical information
- 82, Boulevard DE CLICHY – 75018 PARIS
- Open daily
- Bookings: +33 (0)1 53 09 82 82 or website
Book 4-6 weeks in advance.
Hours:
- Dinner show: From 19:00
Show only: 21:00 or 23:00
Rates:
- Menu Toulouse-Lautrec starting from € 220.00
- Menu Belle Époque starting from € 190.00
- “Féerie” Review, at 21:00, starting from € 87.00
- “Féerie” Review, at 23:00, starting from € 77.00Average à la carte: 190.00
