135 Years Since Opening: Paris Landmark Moulin Rouge's Red Windmill Blade Snaps 'Suddenly'

Around 2 AM on the 25th, the entire wing fell off
"Not a malicious act"... No injuries reported

The windmill blades of Moulin Rouge, a performance venue with a 135-year tradition and one of the tourist attractions in Paris, France, fell off entirely for unknown reasons.

On the 25th (local time), AFP news agency and the daily Le Figaro reported that around 2 to 3 a.m., the rotating windmill blades fell off entirely from the top of the building. Paris fire authorities stated that there were no injuries related to the incident and no further risk of collapse. Victor Clerico, the general director of Moulin Rouge, told Le Figaro, "As far as I know, the damage to the blades was not due to malicious intent."

The famous Moulin Rouge theater in Paris, France, with a windmill blade fallen [Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

The name Moulin Rouge means 'red windmill' in French, and this windmill is a symbol representing the venue. Moulin Rouge, which opened in 1889 in Montmartre, Paris?the same year the Eiffel Tower was built?is a cabaret known as the birthplace of the French can-can dance, where dancers lift their skirts and legs. It has been the setting for many films and musicals and is also famous for paintings by the artist Toulouse-Lautrec, who was fond of the place. Approximately 600,000 people watch the two nightly performances annually, and many tourists visit to take photos in front of the windmill or to see the building.

The windmill of Moulin Rouge before the accident
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

Moulin Rouge was completely destroyed by fire in 1915 and closed for nine years before reopening. It also closed for 18 months after March 2020 due to COVID-19, but this is the first time an incident like the blade damage has occurred. The windmill blades were remodeled 20 years ago with wood and aluminum to reduce weight. A Moulin Rouge official told AFP, "The technical team inspects the windmill mechanism weekly and found no issues," adding, "This is the first accident of this kind since Moulin Rouge was established." The last performance on the day of the accident ended at 1:15 a.m., so there were no audience members inside the building when the blades fell.

Photos posted on social media show the Moulin Rouge windmill blades lying on the ground, slightly bent, and the first three letters (M·O·U) of the exterior sign reading 'MOULIN ROUGE' have also fallen off. Paris is preparing to host the 33rd Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11. Regarding this, AFP pointed out, "Concerns have grown about whether Paris is ready to welcome the numerous guests expected during the Olympics this July and August due to this accident."