The Red Mill

Moulin Rouge literally translates to the red mill. Why? Because it was just that: a huge windmill painted red. As I came out of Blanche metro station, I could see how it is still marked by a striking red mill on its roof.

The Moulin Rouge  was created in 1889 (same year as Eiffel Tower) by Joseph Oller. It became a landmark and a symbol of the joie de vivre — the joy of life — in Paris at the time. It was a theater, a concert hall, and a dance hall — all at the same time. This was the Belle Epoque era, a period of peace and optimism, of industrial progress and a rich cultural exuberance.

Talking about windmills, did you know that there are the only two windmills left on Montmartre in Paris out of the 30 that were here originally? Collectively, the two are known as Moulin de la Galette. The oldest one is the Moulin Blute-Fin. The one that is still open as a restaurant was built in 1717 and called the Moulin Radet.

The Moulin de la Galette restaurant topped by the Moulin Radet

And if you loved Amelie in 2001, you’ll easily recognize the Cafe des 2 Moulins (“Two Windmills”). It takes its name from the two nearby historical windmills, Moulin Rouge and Moulin de la Galette.

Some scenes of Amelie were shot in this cafe

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