Mystery as famous Moulin Rouge windmill blades collapse overnight onto Paris street

25 April 2024, 09:12

The Moulin Rouge windmill has been damaged
The Moulin Rouge windmill has been damaged. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

The blades of the famous Moulin Rouge windmill in Paris have fallen off overnight.

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Parisians woke up to the sight of the blades from the windmill on top of the venerable nightclub lying on the pavement.

No reason has yet been given for the collapse of the blades. No one was hurt when they fell to the ground.

Authorities have been seen collecting the blades and removing them.

They said that there was no further danger of other items falling from the nightclub roof.

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A builder's truck removes the Moulin Rouge's famous blades
A builder's truck removes the Moulin Rouge's famous blades. Picture: Getty

“We don't know what happened, it occurred between 02:00 and 03:00 am, no one was hurt,” a venue spokesperson said,

An official at the venue told AFP that the venue’s technical team checks the windmill mechanism every week and did not note any problems during the last inspection.

Images on social media showed the blade unit lying on the street below, with some of the blades slightly bent.

Some of the venue's iconic lettering was also damaged
Some of the venue's iconic lettering was also damaged. Picture: Getty

"Fortunately, this happened after closing," a source said.

"Every week, the cabaret's technical teams check the windmill mechanism and did not note any problems.

How the Moulin Rouge normally looks at night
How the Moulin Rouge normally looks at night. Picture: Getty

"It's the first time that an accident like this has happened,” they added.

Moulin Rouge is best known by many as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance.

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