Moulin Rouge
Monument Historic Parisian cabaret famed for the cancan
Montmartre’s Moulin Rouge offers the iconic red windmill façade and nightly cabaret shows; tourists go for can‑can performances, dinner‑and‑dance packages, and the neighborhood’s bohemian streets and cafés.
The Moulin Rouge is a late 19th-century cabaret located at the foot of Montmartre in Paris, known for its entertainment shows and iconic red windmill. It opened during the Belle Époque and quickly became associated with popular dance and variety performance.
Evenings center on staged musical and dance revues that combine costume, choreography and theatrical staging; the building’s façade and roof windmill are major visual identifiers. The venue remains a tourist attraction and performance space with regular show schedules.
Founded in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler, the cabaret became a focal point of Parisian nightlife and the birthplace of the modern can-can scene. It has been rebuilt and refurbished several times but retains its historical identity as a music-hall venue.
Situated in the Pigalle neighbourhood at the base of Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, the Moulin Rouge is within walking distance of the Montmartre hill and Sacré-Cœur.
- Founding and iconography: Opened in 1889 in the Pigalle district and identified by its red windmill on the roof, it established the modern image of the Parisian cabaret.
- Entertainment style: Famous for the can-can dance and for combining music-hall entertainment with staged revues since the late 19th century.
How to Get to Moulin Rouge #
Moulin Rouge is on Boulevard de Clichy in the Pigalle district. Take Metro Line 2 to Blanche station - the cabaret is immediately adjacent to the station exit (1-2 minute walk). Located in northern central Paris, it is very easy to reach by metro rather than by car.
Tips for Visiting Moulin Rouge #
- Book your show (and any dinner package) well in advance on the official Moulin Rouge website or box office-weekends and holiday periods sell out and prices rise for last-minute bookings.
- Arrive at the café/box-office entrance on Boulevard de Clichy early to check in and take photos outside before the front gets congested; do not buy tickets from street touts-use official sellers only.
- If you have specific seating or dietary needs, confirm them at booking rather than on arrival; the venue enforces a smart-casual dress standard and cloakroom use is common, so plan accordingly.
Best Time to Visit Moulin Rouge #
As an indoor cabaret, book ahead and choose a weekday or earlier show if you prefer fewer crowds; weekends are the liveliest and most crowded.
Weather & Climate near Moulin Rouge #
Moulin Rouge's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (675 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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