The Moulin Rouge opened on 6 October 1889 at the foot of Montmartre and has been one of Paris's most famous addresses ever since. Toulouse-Lautrec's posters made it the symbol of Belle Époque excess; today it remains a working cabaret with elaborate costumes, can-can dancers, and a cast of 60 performers.
Yes, it is thoroughly touristic. Yes, it costs a great deal of money. And yes, the show is still genuinely spectacular — the choreography is professional, the production values are high, and the room itself, with its glass ceiling, windmill exterior, and ornate décor, delivers atmosphere in quantities few venues can match. If you go for the 9pm dinner-and-show, arrive hungry: the French cuisine served is respectable.
The show-only option with a half-bottle of champagne is better value. Book well in advance — particularly for the weekend shows, which sell out weeks ahead. Métro: Blanche.