Monday, May 11, 2009

Moulin Rouge


When talking about the city of Paris and cabaret in particular, one place always springs to mind: The Moulin Rouge. It is without a shadow of a doubt the most famous in the world even comparable to the Eiffel Tower as a Parisian attraction.

It was built in 1889 by Josep Oller and Charles Zidler in the district of Pigalle, a red light area at the foot of Montmartre. Ever since, it has been at the centre of Parisian nightlife. From the outside, it resembles a huge windmill with rotating blades and has been the home to such artists like Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Edith Piaf, Ginger Rogers and Yves Montand. If there is anyone who stood out and made their mark concerning the Moulin Rouge it would have to be Celeste Mogador, creator of the famous Quadrille.

At this time the Montmartre district was very fashionable, but prostitutes and the like used to meet there. The Moulin Rouge soon became a sumptuous salon frequented by the aristocracy. Today though, it is one stop that is a must for many of the thousands of tourists who travel to Paris yearly.

In its early days it was a shrine for opera and a dance hall and over the years it became one of the first places where striptease was allowed much to the astonishment of all present. Currently it offers a number of variety shows involving around 100 artists (60 of them are the famous "Doriss Girls" - the legendary Moulin Rouge dancers). It also offers an excellent menu if you choose to dine at the Moulin Rouge.

The post-impressionist painter Toulouse-Lautrec also used the famous cabaret as a great source of inspiration for many of his works. It was also the title of a book that would give origin to the movie with the same name filmed in 1952 and which starred José Ferrer and Zsa Gabor and in 2001, a new film/musical was inspired and called Moulin Rouge, this time with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as the main stars of the film.

Taking in the Moulin Rouge on your Paris trip would set you back around 100 € to see the show, and between 140 and 170 € for both dinner and a show. Are you excited at this prospect? Would you like to go to the world famous cabaret? Why not rent some of the best Apartments in Paris and discover its magic?

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