Moulin Rouge, Paris

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The Moulin Rouge (French for "red mill") is a cabaret in Paris. It is located on Boulevard de Clichy in the redlight district of the Quartier Pigalle, in the 18th arrondissement.

It was opened on 6 October 1889. On the roof of the cabaret is a large red imitation windmill. The Moulin Rouge is a symbol of the bohemian. It attracts thousands of tourists and is imitated worldwide. The early years of the Moulin Rouge are characterized by extravagant shows, inspired by the circus, and attractions that are still known as Petomane (see Joseph Pujol). There are also shows with sexy dancers.

The cabaret was the inspiration for many paintings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec poster designs by including Jules Cheret. Many books and movies are set in and around the nightclub. In 1940 a feature film Moulin Rouge with Josephine Baker, and in 2001 Moulin Rouge!, With Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman in the lead roles.

We typically try to avoid tourist traps but in this case we just couldn't help ourselves. We could hardly have been more surprised. The show was really first rate. While not as big and over the top as a Vegas show, the quality was definately there. Can can dancers, lots' of feathers and sequens and a juggling drummer thrown in ! We'll go back again.

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You can easily miss Moulin Rouge if you do not keep your eyes open and if somebody does not point it to you. Since the place is loaded with history, you have to stop by and take a picture on your way to Sacre Coeur :)
I could not stop myself imagining Toulouse Lautrec walking to the place and chatting with the Can-Can girls.

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Moulin Rouge translates as "Red Mill/Windmill" in English. No doubt everyone has heard or seen pictures or ads or movies of this world famous place.

The first cabarets were held at 1889 ("Moulin Rouge"). It still has the glamour and colourfullness - lots of beautiful girls, feathers, make-up, high-heeled shoes, fancy clothes and hats and much more. This has been existing long before we even knew about Las Vegas.

Today one can choose from several different shows and show-dinner combinations. According to my knowledge a glass or a half bottle of champagne is always included in the ticket price, as well as the dinner and the show.

The prices are around 150 euros per person. Please read more the parts that interests you from Moulin Rouge's informative web pages.

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I'll admit I was hesitant - 99 Euros (US$133) for dinner and a show is pricey for me. But my friends wanted to go and I thought, what the heck? How often do I get to Paris?

From the time we arrived at the Moulin Rouge, with everyone dressed up - it just FELT festive. We were seated at the world's smallest table, crammed up against other tiny tables, and I remember thinking "I hope this goes by quickly". Then the house lights went down, the stage lights came on, the band started playing, and from that moment on it was sheer magic! There was the initial tee heeing about the girls being topless, but after about 5 minutes you are so caught up in the music, and the dancing, and the costumes that you forget about that aspect.

And this show had it all - lovely showgirls, beautiful costumes and musical numbers, a comedian, a virgin sacrifice into a vat filled with water and snakes (I'm not kidding!), acrobats, and a duo who balanced each other with such grace and strength that they got their own standing ovation!

For all my initial hesitation, I must say that I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this show and thought it was worth every penny. Eat a cheap meal somewhere, and instead spend the money you saved at the Moulin Rouge!

The Moulin Rouge was fantastic. We pre booked and it was just as well. The queues to get in were huge and it took forever - it doesnt seem very organised at all.
We went to the midnight show so like everyone else were quite tired and just wanted to get in to see the show. the dancers, costumes, routines were fantastic - the show was brilliant.
The only complaint we would have was about the seating - we were squashed like sardines on to a table for 4 with 5 of us sat round it - we didnt know the other 3 but you knew them very well by the time you left due to the fact that you were practically sitting on each others knee's for the whole show.

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Forty years of success at the Moulin Rouge ! Since Cancan in 1961, Doris Haug and Ruggero Angeletti have called the tune with the famous Doriss Girls on the stage of the Moulin Rouge.

The current show, 'Féerie' consists of : a troupe of 100 artists, including 60 Doriss Girls recruited world-wide ; 1000 costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins, made in the most famous Parisian workshops ; sumptuous sets in shimmering colours, uniquely designed by Italian artists ; outstanding international acts, and the awaited return of the giant aquarium; all this performed to original music recorded by 80 musicians and 60 chorus singers.

It is a must see in Paris - very colourful, energetic and highly enjoyable. And the food & wine is very good too.

The Moulin Rouge has been well covered by other tips, but I just wanted to add that....

The Water Tank Snake Act is back!!

The show includes the Can Can again!!!

Still don't bother with the dinner, is pretty bad, but the show is good, and by the time you've had a few days in Paris, the huge price you pay for tickets won't seem so bad!