Moulin Rouge's windmill spins once more
In a grand celebration marked by cancan dancers performing in the street and fireworks from the club’s roof, the iconic windmill at Paris's Moulin Rouge has started spinning once more. The famous windmill, a symbol of the city and a significant feature of the world-renowned variety theater, had collapsed 14 months ago due to a failure in the central axis. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
The restoration process involved the manufacturing of new aluminium blades, ready by July 2024, coinciding with the Paris Olympics. However, the installation and operationalisation of the electric motor, which powers both the spinning sails and the hundreds of red and gold bulbs adorning the windmill, required additional time.
The Moulin Rouge, known for its cabaret shows, still shines in its sinful red, although the days when it symbolized frivolous Paris are long gone. Despite a change in audience from its bohemian past to tourists from around the world, the theater remains one of the most visited attractions in Paris.
The managing director, Jean-Victor Clerico, emphasized the cultural importance of restoring the sails, calling it a restoration of a Parisian symbol to the city, the country, and its traditional state. The dancers and the troupe expressed their joy in seeing the sails turn again, celebrating the return of this emblematic feature of the Moulin Rouge and Paris itself.
The Moulin Rouge, which celebrated its 135th anniversary last fall, is the oldest cabaret in Paris. The theater gained significant global fame not only from the musical film with Nicole Kidman but also from its own reputation. The activation of the windmill was announced on the theater's Instagram account, hinting that it was red, iconic, and ready to amaze. Paris Je t'Aime, the official Paris tourist information, also confirmed the activation of the Moulin Rouge’s windmill on its Instagram story.
The cause of the windmill's collapse was initially unclear, but sabotage was ruled out. The Moulin Rouge, a tourist magnet in Paris, still maintains its iconic red color despite the passing of time. The theater is currently undergoing renovations to replace its collapsed windmill, marking the end of more than a year since its collapse. The Moulin Rouge, despite its global fame from the musical film, remains a significant French landmark that has been a landmark of the city for over a century.
The Moulin Rouge, with its upcoming lifestyle transformation, promises to captivate travelers from around the world by the Paris Olympics in 2024. The resumed spinning of the windmill, adorned with hundreds of red and gold bulbs, symbolizes not only the Moulin Rouge's restoration but also a testament to the enduring charm of Parisian culture and entertainment.
