2026 France – Moulin Rogue 10€ Silver Coloured BU

Description

The Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous cabarets in the world. Located in Paris, at the foot of Montmartre, it is recognizable by its iconic red windmill.

Founded in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler for 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 Cancan, an energetic and daring dance that became a symbol of the freedom and festive spirit of the Belle Époque. Numerous famous artists, such as Toulouse-Lautrec, contributed to its renown by immortalizing its dancers and unique atmosphere. Over the decades, the Moulin Rouge has evolved, modernized, and retained its identity. 

At the Moulin Rouge, all professions are entirely in-house, guaranteeing unique expertise and complete control over every detail, from artistic creation to stage performance. From the precision of the ballet to the finesse of the cuisine, including the design and creation of costumes by the Maisons d’Art, costumes, sets, technical aspects, dancers, and artistic teams work closely together to bring the excellence of the establishment to life.

The cabaret is sold out every night, with two shows presented daily, every day of the year. A true Parisian institution, the Moulin Rouge welcomes spectators and tourists from all over the world, confirming its international renown and remaining a powerful symbol of French culture.

Craftsmanship and artistic trades at the Moulin Rouge.

The success of the Moulin Rouge is based on numerous traditional crafts and skills:

• The ballet: From the early evening, the backstage area of ​​the Moulin Rouge comes alive as the artists prepare for the show. Trained in classical ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, the dancers, after numerous rehearsals, bring to life on stage a unique style combining discipline, energy, and the Moulin Rouge tradition.
• Costume Designers: 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 both spectacular and comfortable for the performers.
• Feather workers: Maison Février is a bright workshop where feather workers meticulously craft creations from feathers. Since 1957, their unique expertise has enhanced the costumes of the Moulin Rouge dancers, combining elegance, delicacy, and durability.
• Embroiderers: The embroiderers of Atelier Valentin embellish the show’s costumes with sequins, beads, and rhinestones. Using traditional techniques such as Lunéville embroidery and needlework, they perpetuate exceptional French craftsmanship, bringing elegance and refinement to the Moulin Rouge costumes.
• Shoemakers: Founded in 1945, Maison Clairvoy is a shoemaking workshop specializing in the performing arts, creating bespoke shoes for artists. The artisans handcraft shoes that combine quality, durability, and comfort, notably the famous French Cancan boot from the Moulin Rouge, designed to protect dancers and support their movements.

The obverse is designed around the iconic wing of the Moulin Rouge. Each section of the coin references a different craft: costume, featherwork, embroidery, shoemaking, and ballet. These are interwoven with elements of the festive and spectacular world of the Moulin Rouge. The design pays homage to the skills that contribute to the magic of the cabaret. The hallmarks of the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), Joaquin Jimenez, and the engraving workshop, as well as the year of issue, are also featured on the obverse.

The blue, white and red colouring reflects the colours of the French flag and the French Cancan skirt.

The reverse of this coin displays the face value surrounded by two branches, one of oak and the other of laurel, evoking the Euro symbol. The entire reverse design is framed by “République Française” and a series of lines representing the outline of France.