4626) "Moulin Rouge", Republic of France (Francaise Republique): 125th Anniversary of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s and the 70th anniversary of Mistinguett’s passing away: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued Gold and Silver Proof and Colour Coins which celebrate the founding of the popular Cabaret with its iconic Red Mill in Paris, France: Date/Year of Coins issue: 21.04.2026:
Moulin Rouge(meaning the 'Red Mill') is a cabaret in Paris, on the Boulevard de Clichy, at the Place Blanche, the intersection and end of the Rue Blanche.
These coins celebrate the cabaret’s artistry and mark the 125th anniversary of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s and the 70th anniversary of Mistinguett’s passing away.
In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was co-founded by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia.
The original venue was destroyed by fire in 1915, reopening in 1925 after rebuilding.
Moulin Rouge is southwest of Montmartre, in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, and has a landmark red windmill on its roof.
The closest Paris Métro station is Blanche.
Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the Can-Can dance.
Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe.
Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering predominantly musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor retains much of the romance of Belle Époque France.
Creation and early success:
On 06.10.1889, the Moulin Rouge opened as the Jardin de Paris, an outdoor garden café-concert, at the foot of the Montmartre hill.
Its creator Joseph Oller and his Manager Charles Zidler were formidable businessmen who understood the public's tastes.
The aim was to attract wealthy individuals to experience the ambiance of the fashionable district of Montmartre, which was perceived as a form of slumming.
The elaborate setting, featuring a garden adorned with a large elephant, provided an environment where individuals from various social strata could interact. This included workers, local residents, artists, the middle class, businessmen, stylish women, and tourists passing through Paris.
Nicknamed "The First Palace of Women" by Oller and Zidler, the cabaret swiftly garnered significant acclaim.
Key factors contributing to its success included:
- Revolutionary auditorium architecture enabling rapid changes of décor and fostering social interaction among all patrons.
- Champagne evenings characterised by lively entertainment and dancing, featuring regularly changing amusing acts like Le Pétomane.
- A new dance, inspired by the quadrille and gaining popularity, known as the Can-Can. Dancers performed this energetic dance to a lively rhythm while wearing provocative costumes.
Prominent dancers from the era included figures such as la Goulue, Jane Avril, la Môme Fromage, Grille d'Egout, Nini Pattes en l'Air, Yvette Guilbert, Valentin le désossé, and the clown Cha-U-Kao.
A favoured venue among artists, including Toulouse-Lautrec, whose posters and paintings contributed to the rapid and international renown of the Moulin Rouge.
From the early evening, the backstage area of the Moulin Rouge comes alive as the artists prepare for the show.
The dancers, after numerous rehearsals, bring to life on stage a unique style combining discipline, energy and the Moulin Rouge tradition.
Within the Moulin Rouge Creation Workshop, the seamstresses and tailors design new, richly embellished costumes for each show, combining original fabrics, pearls and rhinestones.
In collaboration with the other workshops, they guarantee high-quality costumes that are truly spectacular, eye-appealing and comfortable for the performers.
Since 1957, their unique expertise has enhanced the costumes of the Moulin Rouge dancers, combining elegance, delicacy and durability.
Shoes are taken very seriously.
Founded in 1945, the Maison Clairvoy is a shoemaking workshop specialising in the performing arts, creating bespoke shoes for artists.
The artisans handcraft shoes that combine quality, durability and comfort - notably for the famous French Can-can boot used by dancers at the Moulin Rouge, they are designed to protect dancers and add showmanship during their performances.
Today, the cabaret is sold out every night, with two shows presented daily, every day of the year. A visit to Paris must include a visit to the Moulin Rouge, the world’s greatest and most unforgettable Cabaret Revue.
Uniquely Shaped Gold and Silver Coins Features Moulin Rouge:
- The Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint") has created an extraordinary tribute to the Moulin Rouge, one of the most famous cabarets in the world.
- Located in Paris at the foot of Montmartre, it is recognisable by its iconic red windmill. Founded in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler during the Paris Universal Exposition, it quickly became a cornerstone of Parisian nightlife, blending revelry, music, dance and entertainment from its very opening. It is best known for popularizing the French Can-can, an energetic and daring dance that became a symbol of the freedom and festive spirit of the Belle Époque era.
Designed by Monnaie de Paris engraver Joaquin Jimenez, the collection features both uniquely shaped Gold and Silver Coins inspired by the skirts of the French Can-can, and traditional round pieces.
The Reverses of the Gold and Silver Coins features two French Can-can dancers captured in dynamic motion.
In the background is the legendary Moulin Rouge with its recognisable windmill, as well as the backdrop of the French Can-can tableau depicting part of the Eiffel Tower.
The initials stylised and intertwined initials "MR" (standing for the "Moulin Rouge") are placed near the lower periphery.
The Obverses of the Gold and Silver Coins features four portions of design in recognition of the famous four wings of the Moulin Rouge’s iconic landmark windmill.
Each section of the design references a different craft of costume, feather-work, embroidery, shoemaking, and dance.
The stylised lettering "Oh la la" and "Moulin Rouge Paris" is superimposed over the top half of the coin.
In a diagonal direction between the feathered quarter and silk fabric is the denomination "200 or 20 Euro Ggold) and 20 or 10 Euro (Silver)".
In another diagonal direction between the feathered quarter and lower silk quarter are the initials RF referencing Republique Francaise along with the year of issue, 2026.
- The €10 silver proof includes vivid blue and red colouring in reference to both the French flag and the French Can-can skirt.
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage Limit
20 Euro .999 Silver 31.1 gr. 37 mm. HR Proof 5,000
20 Euro .999 Gold 3.11 g. 15 mm. Proof 1,000
Denomination Metal Weight Dimensions Quality Mintage Limit
10 Euro .999 Silver 3.11 g. 38 / 36.73 mm. Proof & Colour 5,000
200 Euro .999 Gold 31.1 g. 38 / 36.73 mm. Proof 250
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1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
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