Iconic sails from Moulin Rouge's windmill fall off and crash to the ground in shocking scenes

If you’ve ever been to Paris, there’s plenty of sights you’re guaranteed to have seen. Of course, the likes of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame.

But also, the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret club. Famously the home of the modern can-can dance, the cabaret club has its bright red lights and obviously the famed windmill on top that appears on every Instagram story from a trip over to the French capital.

Except, those snaps will be looking slightly different today (25 April) as the iconic sails of the windmill have fallen off and crashed to the ground in shocking scenes.

It’s understood the structure fell down overnight, in the early hours of this morning but it is yet to be revealed just how it happened.

Last night’s show at the Moulin Rouge finished at 1.15am as a spokesperson said: “We don't know what happened, it occurred between 2am and 3am, no one was hurt.”

Videos and pictures on social media show the windmill’s blades lying on the street, as some of them appear to be slightly bent.

Both tourists and Parisiens have been left shocked by the sudden falling as people gather in front of the cabaret club.

Firefighters have been there strapping pieces of the sails to be taken away as the Moulin Rouge suddenly appears pretty bare – and not so Instagram-worthy.

Local media say firefighters have said the cause of the collapse is not yet known, but no one has been injured in the incident and there is no longer any risk of further damage to the venue.

Users on X shared clips and snaps of the scene, writing: “The Moulin Rouge has just fallen, I’m shocked!!!”

Others called it a ‘really weird story’ as they couldn’t believe the iconic sails had suddenly fell.

The letters M, O and U also seem to have fallen from outside, as people say the venue is now called ‘Lin Rouge’.

This bizarre and shocking incident comes nearly three months before the Olympics begin in Paris, which will see thousands of tourists flock to the city from around the world.

And the Moulin Rouge may have been a spot they were hoping to visit during their trip.

The cabaret club was founded all the way back in 1889 and is very much a postcard-perfect spot for tourists – or fans of the 2001 Ewan McGregor film.

Featured Image Credit: X/GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images

Topics: World News, Weird

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_