THE MOULIN ROUGE
The Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous cabarets in the world. Located in Paris, at the bottom of Montmartre, it is recognisable by its iconic red windmill.
Founded in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler for the Paris World's Fair, it became a must-see venue for Parisian nightlife, combining parties, music, dance and entertainment from the moment it opened. It is best known for popularising the French Cancan, an energetic and daring dance that became a symbol of the freedom and festive spirit of the Belle Époque. Many famous artists, such as Toulouse-Lautrec, contributed to its fame by immortalising its dancers and unique atmosphere. Over the decades, the Moulin Rouge has moved with the times, modernising while retaining its identity.
At the Moulin Rouge, all aspects of the crafts are handled in-house, ensuring unique expertise and complete control over every detail, from artistic creation to stage performance. From the rigour of the ballet to the finesse of the cuisine, including the design and creation of costumes by artisan workshops, costumes, sets, technical staff, dancers and artistic teams work closely together to keep the excellence of the establishment alive.
The cabaret is sold out every night, with two shows presented daily, every day of the year. A true Parisian institution, the Moulin Rouge welcomes spectators and tourists from all over the world, confirming its international reputation and remaining a powerful symbol of French culture.
Know-how and crafts at the Moulin Rouge.
The success of the Moulin Rouge relies on many traditional know-how:
- Costume designers: At the Moulin Rouge's design studio, seamstresses and tailors create new, richly decorated costumes for each show, combining original materials, pearls and rhinestones. Working in collaboration with other workshops, they ensure that the costumes are of the highest quality, both spectacular and comfortable for the performers.
- Feather workers: Maison Février is a bright workshop where feather workers craft intricate designs using feathers. Since 1957, their unique expertise has enhanced the costumes of the Moulin Rouge dancers, combining elegance, delicacy and durability.
- Embroiderers: The embroiderers at Atelier Valentin embellish the show's costumes with sequins, pearls and rhinestones. Using traditional techniques such as Lunéville embroidery and needle embroidery, they perpetuate an exceptional French craftsmanship that brings elegance and refinement to the Moulin Rouge costumes.
- Bootmakers: Founded in 1945, Maison Clairvoy is a bootmaker's workshop specialising in the performing arts, creating bespoke shoes for artists. The craftsmen handcraft shoes that combine quality, durability and comfort, including the famous Moulin Rouge French Cancan boot, designed to protect the dancers and accompany their movements.
- Ballet: From the start of the evening, the backstage area of the Moulin Rouge comes alive as the artists prepare for the show. Trained in classical dance, jazz and hip-hop, the dancers, after numerous rehearsals, bring to life on stage a unique style combining discipline, energy and the tradition of the Moulin Rouge.
The obverse of this coin features two French Cancan dancers captured in dynamic motion. In the background is the legendary Moulin Rouge with its recognisable wings, as well as the backdrop of the French Cancan tableau depicting part of the Eiffel Tower. The initials of the Moulin Rouge sign the design.
The reverse features the iconic wing of the Moulin Rouge. Each parts of the coin refers to different know-how: costume design, featherwork, embroidery, bootmaking and ballet. They are intertwined with elements from the festive and spectacular world of the Moulin Rouge. Together, they pay tribute to the skills that contribute to the magic of the cabaret. The acronyme "RF" appear at the bottom of the coin, along with the year of issue. The hallmark of Monnaie de Paris, Joaquin Jimenez and the engraving workshop, as well as the face value, are engraved at the top of the coin.
