In 1889, businessmen Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler bought the decrepit White Queen Dance Hall in the seedy Quartier Pigalle of Paris. They completely renovated the space and placed a vibrant red windmill on the roof. That's how the new cabaret club earned its name, Moulin Rouge.

The venue soon became notorious for its provocative can-can dances and raucous atmosphere.

The dancers became famous in their own right. They included Louise Weber, “The Glutton,” known for whirling through the crowd and stealing patrons’ drinks; Mistinguett, who went on to become the highest-paid female entertainer in the world, with legs insured for 500,000 francs.

The patrons ranged from rowdy locals to rich tourists to famous artists, such as Post-Impressionist painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who attended the club nightly and painted the scenes inside.

In 1900, the owners purchased a massive wooden elephant, which they placed in the club’s gardens. They installed a spiral staircase leading up to the belly of the beast, where intimate dances were performed.

The club burned down in 1915 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1921. During the Nazi occupation of Paris, it was listed as a “must-visit” for German soldiers.

The Moulin Rouge was the inspiration and setting for Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film of the same name, and is still in operation today.