Moulin Rouge: history, description and tickets
On the right bank of the Seine in the hills of Montmartre, near Pigalle (the famous red lights) and the second subway line of Blanche station, is situated the famous cabaret of Moulin Rouge. In fact, the Paris World's Fair in 1889 was not only the occasion for the construction of the Eiffel Tower, but also inspired business partners Jojef Oller and Charles Siedler to open their own cabaret on Blanche Square under the banner of "Moulin Rouge".
Two creative businessmen decided to turn an ordinary wooden mill into an entertainment facility. They asked for help from Leon Adolf Villette, who made it completely red. People came here to enjoy the cancan dance performance. Thanks to its location near the popular attractions, the Moulin Rouge has quickly become popular.
The first cancan was a mix of gallop and quadrille and was born in the 20s in Paris. Fast leg strokes and a spectacular twine were borrowed from the acrobatic number of Charles Mazurier. But the movements with magnificent skirts appeared at the end of the XIX century.
If the cancan danced solo in Paris, the English and American versions were different in that the ensemble took part in it. Choreographer Pierre Sandrini combined both types of dance, creating the famous French cancan.
Just like wine, Moulin Rouge only gets better over the years, making performances more diverse. All candidates are measured and weighed. They should be 168-172 cm tall, slender and tightened and have perfect skin. Even the length of the legs; the size, shape and spacing of the chest should be appropriate. The shape of the cankaneroka is also strictly monitored, weighing and measuring them once a week. It is worth to gain a little more than a kilogram, and the loser is removed from the room until she returns to the lost form.
Another prerequisite is to work under an alias invented by a manager. True names remain a mystery, and fictitious names are kept till the end of the career in Moulin Rouge.
Girls from any country can be hired to work in the dance group if they have enough talent. Since it has become prestigious today to work in variety, choreographers from all over the world also offer their services. Sometimes celebrities participate in dance shows, so you could see there Dita von Teese, Christina Aguilera, and Carmen Electroy.
Is it okay to come to Moulin Rouge with the kids?
Officially, you can visit the Moulin Rouge show with kids over 6 years old. But most likely children will be bored during such a performance. Despite the frank costumes of the show's dancers, the show is more artistic than erotic. Also, the show itself is designed for a more adult audience. Our advice: come in couples or with friends. With children, it is better to go to Disneyland.
Should I take a ticket with champagne?
Cabaret Moulin Rouge is the world's largest consumer of champagne. There are a few types of entrance tickets in french cabaret. You can buy regular tickets which include only the show itself. The “second-level” includes is half a bottle of champagne per person. Indeed, during the show when everyone drinks champagne, it is difficult to resist alcohol. And inside it costs twice more expensive than if you added it to your ticket in advance. So we recommend tickets with champagne.
Admission to the Moulin Rouge costs from 100 euros. The cost of the show along with half a bottle of real French champagne will cost about 109 euros per person, and when ordering dinner - about 170, 180 or 210 euros (depending on the choice of dishes). These prices are not valid on New Year's Eve.
It is advisable to order tickets in advance (it is better even for a few months), because there are no fixed seats. Upon arrival at the Moulin Rouge, you will be taken to your table. Practice shows that the earlier the ticket was booked, the closer the seat is to the stage.
