Stupor on the Montmartre hill in Paris: the wings of the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret are on the ground Thursday morning after their fall for a reason still unknown in the night, an incident which did not cause any injuries and would not be linked to a “malicious act”, according to management.
The wings of the dean of Parisian cabarets, known throughout the world and immortalized in particular by the eponymous film by Baz Luhrmann, fell during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, firefighters told AFP, confirming information from BFMTV.
The letters M, O and U of its name, located on the facade, have also fallen. No injuries were reported, Paris firefighters said, adding that there was no longer any risk of collapse.
“It’s incredible”, was moved by AFP Exaucé, who did not want to give his name. A chef at the Moulin Rouge, he discovered the blades on the ground when he arrived on site, around 8 a.m.
The reasons for this fall, which occurred around 2 a.m., shortly after the cabaret closed, are currently unknown but management rules out any “malicious act”.
“On the site itself, we have 24-hour surveillance, particularly on the roofs, with human presence. We already know that this is not a malicious act, it is obviously a technical problem”declared Jean-Victor Clerico, general manager of the legendary Parisian night spot, to the press.
The capital’s police chief, Laurent Nuñez, for his part indicated on TF1 that “security architects from the police headquarters” went to the site, without further details immediately.
Thursday morning, barriers were put in place around the entrance to the establishment but the street was not blocked and a dump truck removed the blades, noted an AFP journalist. The clearing operation ended around 8:35 a.m.
“It’s funny. It’s like cutting off the head of the Eiffel Tower. It hurts me. I hope they will repair it quickly”reacted to AFP Daniel, 58, who explains that he passes the building every day to go to work.
“This is the first time that an accident of this type has occurred since its creation on October 6, 1889”the Moulin Rouge told AFP.
Its general director, however, assured that this accident will not have “no consequences” on the cabaret programming. “The Moulin Rouge will be open this evening to welcome our spectators, there is no change”certified Mr. Clerico.
“The Mill is 135 years old so it has seen some bad times”he added. “We will take up the challenge.”
Temple of Cancan
The only serious accident that occurred in the world temple of cancan was a fire due to work in 1915, according to the cabaret, which then had to close for nine years.
The last maintenance visit dates back to March 20, management indicates.
A mixture of wood, metal and aluminum, the wings had been refurbished about twenty years ago to “lighten” them, Mr. Clerico explained.
The famous establishment, which will celebrate its 135th anniversary on October 6, is located at the foot of the Montmartre hill and in the heart of the Pigalle district.
Synonymous with crazy Parisian nights with the Lido and cancan dancers, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every day who take photos in front of its facade with its animated wings.
Nearly 1,800 people attend its shows each evening, according to management.
Its “trademark”, the French cancan, made this institution famous with its revues of dancers in petticoats and froufrou, in the footsteps of La Goulue, la Môme Fromage, Nini Pattes en l’air and Mistinguett.
Immortalized by the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, the Moulin Rouge welcomes 600,000 spectators per year, with two performances each evening, 365 days per year, and employs some 450 people.
Moulin Rouge Paris France
