In the early hours of April 25, 2024, an unexpected incident occurred at one of Paris' most iconic landmarks - the Moulin Rouge cabaret. The windmill sails, a defining feature of the establishment since its opening in 1889, collapsed onto the busy boulevard below.
According to various reports from French news agencies AFP and TF1, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Jean-Victor Clerico, the general manager of Moulin Rouge, expressed his relief that there were no casualties.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown at this time. Technical teams from the cabaret had checked the windmill mechanism weekly and reported no issues prior to the incident. The last major damage to the building was a fire in 1915 which forced it to close for nine years.
The Moulin Rouge, located in northern Paris, is one of the city's most visited attractions. Known as the birthplace of modern dance form can-can, its audience consists mainly of tourist groups. The incident comes just months before Paris hosts the Summer Olympic Games and may add to concerns regarding managing crowds in the popular city.
Images on social media show the blade unit lying on the street below, with some of the sails slightly bent from their apparent fall. The broken sails have since been removed from the scene.
This is not the first time an incident has occurred at Moulin Rouge. In 1889, it opened its doors to a curious public and quickly became a hit, attracting visitors with its unique blend of entertainment and Parisian charm. The only serious damage it had previously endured was a fire that broke out during renovations in 1915 which forced the establishment to close for nine years.
The collapse of the Moulin Rouge windmill sails is an unexpected turn of events, leaving many wondering about its significance and cause. As more information becomes available, we will update this article accordingly.
