Moulin Rouge’s Iconic Windmill Wings Collapse
Moulin Rouge’s Iconic Windmill Wings Collapse
In the early hours of Thursday, a startling incident occurred at the historic Moulin Rouge in Paris.
The cabaret’s iconic windmill wings unexpectedly collapsed, causing significant damage to not only the structure’s facade but also breaking off the first four letters of the name. What remains visible now reads “LIN ROUGE” instead of the complete “MOULIN ROUGE.”
The collapse is believed to have taken place between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on 25th April.
The scene was promptly attended by Paris firefighters and the police in the morning, who set up a security perimeter and confirmed the absence of injuries.
The establishment’s management and technical teams, who routinely inspect the windmill, expressed surprise over the incident, noting no previous signs of instability in their last checks.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing, with initial assessments suggesting no foul play involved.
Following this, I asked the ticket office which confirmed that shows will continue as scheduled.
Despite the altered appearance of the venue, the 9 p.m. show for today is already sold out and only a few tickets remain for the 11 p.m. performance.
The administration has assured that efforts to restore the windmill wings are underway.
Brief History of the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge first opened its doors on October 6, 1889 (the same year the Eiffel Tower was constructed) as a garden cafe where Parisians of varying classes would gather for an evening of fun, dancing, and drinking.
It quickly rose to fame and even became the birthplace of can-can dance!
However, the original building was destroyed by a fire in 1915, and the new Moulin Rouge as we know it now wasn’t reopened until 1925.
Today, Moulin Rouge is synonymous with French can-can, featuring performances that combine this historic dance with elaborate costumes and sets, attracting visitors from all around the world eager to experience a quintessential part of Parisian cultural heritage.
