Hanging Out In The Moulin Rouge “Red Windmill” District!
I wonder how I look when I take these “upside down” selfies as there is a bit of strange posing and camera twisting that is done – but it is all done in the camera, and when it works out like this I am so happy with the result – because you all know where I am…
Welcome to Paris!
It’s one of my all-time favorite cities, and every time I go there I discover something new – like the sexy secret world surrounding the Moulin Rouge, all just steps away from this iconic building:
Here’s what you need to know about the iconic “Moulin Rouge”:
“Moulin Rouge” is literally French for “Red Mill” – this magnificent building is a cabaret on the Boulevard de Clicy in Paris.
The original Moulin Rouge was opened in 1889, and I just saw this really cool photo shared on FB:
As shared by the public group “La Belle Epoque”:
There was a giant elephant statue in the gardens of the Moulin Rouge. For a franc, gentlemen were welcome to go upstairs to a room inside the statue. This room was used as an opium den, full of belly dancers, circa 1890s.
What terrific trivia! The original building was destroyed by fire in 1915, and reopened in 1925 after rebuilding. Moulin Rouge is located southwest of Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle in the city’s 18th arrondissement.
Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the “Can Can” which was originally introduced as a seductive dance by Courtesans – just watch the terrific 2001 film “Moulin Rouge” starring Nicole Kidman as a Courtesan to get a sense of what going to the theater would be like!
It’s still exciting today – here’s a bit of their stage show:
As I said, I’ve never been but we always talk about how much fun it would be to see that spectacle in person….now, as I walked past those giant windmills, I noticed that the local businesses all had a common theme:
Yep, the Moulin Rouge is surrounded by sex shops!
A quick question about Clichy district on AI gave me a blunt answer:
“Boulevard de Clichy in the Paris district of Montmartre is known for its sleazy strip joints, peep shows, and sex shops.“
Indeed!
Yes, this area now houses all of the sex shops of Paris! There were so many my head was spinning!
Well, as you can see many were still closed as I was there early in the day, and as long as you know where you are headed, you’re fine – because the red windmill is worth seeing for sure!
The district is a short walk from the place you will want to visit in order to capture an incredible view of the city:
The view from the magnificent Sacre Coeur is spectacular…as long as some funny guy doesn’t photo bomb your video! Click here to see it happen to me!
And we discovered something else about Paris as well:
Canals!
Yes, Alex and I discovered that Paris has canals, al thanks to Napoleon! So cool – take a look:
It was so cool to come across these – it was all Napoleon’s idea…here’s a street view to give you an idea of how wide they are:
The story of why Napoleon built these was fascinating to me. Click here to see more:
Of course, for me Paris is really all about the food – and I made sure it was for me as I wandered the Paris streets:
Here’s what I ate while my wife did all the work!
I ate my way through Paris while my wife worked on the opening night of the 2024 Olympic Games…and while she got wet, she stepped outside for this view of the Eiffel Tower as the opening ceremony blazed to an incredible finish:
Wow!
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johnrieber 
I didn’t Napoleon building canals story – fascinating! – but the Moulin Rouge is still imbued with the spirit of Toulouse-Lautrec, as commercial and touristy it is.
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Yes, the “Absinthe-infused” world still exists there! Thanks for the comment!
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My pleasure, John.
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The red windmill is beautiful. How do you do those upside down photos?
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I came up with that trick – it involved inverting myself and the camera as I put it on the mode to shoot back at me and then point it outward!
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It sounds complicated, but it sure does work!
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Great post! I love the historic photo with the elephant statue – such a cool piece of history. The modern shops remind me a little of when cannabis was legalized and the stores popped up everywhere – the volume in one area is interesting! Thank you for sharing.
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That’s a great point about cannabis shops…here in New York, they also showed up everywhere…then stories about how they were being closed hit and a huge number of them did – shut by police when they discovered they were selling unlicensed products as well as their “taxed” inventory…thanks for the comment!
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I have been to Paris quite a few times, and once walked around at night in the Pigalle district in the 1980s. I think it is best described as a ‘seedy area’, though I did find it interesting.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well Pete, not much has changed! Thanks for the point!
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I cannot recall seeing any sex shops when we walked past The Moulin Rouge on our first visit to Paris. It is a city we love, and often stop there on our way to or from barging the Canals of France. We are going there in September and I will focus on food as usual this visit. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
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Thanks for the comment! I only noticed these shops because they are on the main thoroughfare from Sacre Coeur to Moulin Rouge! I am going back myself at the end of June…we love the city!
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Lost a comment – so, briefly! I must be the only person not particularly fond of Paris bar some of the restaurants and the museum scene . . . have been many times during business trips but prefer Provence and the Bordeaux region by far. Find the current Moulin Rouge area awfully ugly – have nought against the sexual side of life but this stark ugliness side-by-side AND in English? Yes, have seen the show twice methinks – well done ‘in my time’ but very touristy – don’t think you would find a French person at the tables . . . 😦 !
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Thanks for your note! I get it: we burned out on it for a bit, and my wife has zero interest in going near that neighborhood, although we talk about maybe seeing the show finally…I was surprised the sheer volume of shops…must be a reason they stay in business! Thanks for the note…I love Provence and Bordeaux as well…
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The first few photos – how ugly! And all the names in English? Have nought against that side of life but hate the obvious and blatant. Yes, have actually been to the Moulin Rouge, twice methinks . . . the show quite fun, the audience totally touristy 😦 !!! The Sacre Coeur photos were a lovely contrast. I am one of very few I know not fond of Paris . . . take me to Provence or Bordeaux and I am happy with the scenery and food and wine . . . oh, Paris had some great restaurants way back when (and I am certain, now!) . . . my favourite was Taillevant still going methinks near the Arc le Triomphe . . .
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Sorry this got stuck in spam – and yes Taillevant is a great restaurant! The district surrounding the Moulin Rouge is very tacky, but I had to walk by it to get to Sacre Coeur, and it surprised me how many of the shops there were…how many people go in? Thanks for the comment!
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Paris is a magical city…..great post chuq
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Thanks for the comment!
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you are welcome and thank you for letting people know more about Paris. chuq
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We drove by the Moulin Rouge at night when we were there. That was exciting. We also saw Paris all lit up at night from Sacre Coeur. Such a great city!
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It truly is..I’m impressed you drove there – or you were in a cab I hope – traffic there is tough!
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We were staying with friends who live on the outskirts and drive in Paris all the time. So they drove us around Paris at night. It was magical. I don’t think we would have been brave enough to do that on our own!
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That’s the secret: let the French drive! No fear! I rent cars in Bordeaux and Burgundy, as well as Provence and the French Riviera, but don’t see the need in Paris.
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I’ve been to Paris, walked up the Arc de Triomphe, had lunch at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and have visited the Sacre Coeur, but not the Moulin Rouge. That elephant story is a new one on me.
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I didn’t know that either…I think there was. giant elephant in the movie but assumed the Director made it up! Thanks for the comment!!
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I’ve never been to France, but intend to be there and love this view of Paris
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Hi John, this is such a great post. I’m pleased to know about this area in Paris. I’m angling to go there soon 😁
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It rained all day yesterday and this was a great way to getaway by remembering my trip there…it’s very close to Sacre Coeur which is a must see and the canals are a close walk as well…a more relaxed area of Paris to explore – not as crazy crowded as the Louvre! Thanks for the comment!
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