Paris's Moulin Rouge Inaugurates New Windmill Sails Ahead Of Olympics

The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
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Paris's Moulin Rouge Inaugurates New Windmill Sails Ahead Of Olympics

The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights

Paris's Moulin Rouge cabaret club, whose landmark windmill sails fell down in April, inaugurated its new blades on Friday, nearly a week before the Olympic torch was due to pass the venue.

Several hundred delighted locals and tourists gathered outside the club, one of the most visited attractions in the French capital, to celebrate the four red blades, decked out in gold and red, AFP reported.

"The windmill without its wings is a void for Paris, it was just sad," said managing director Jean-Victor Clerico, who runs the family business that attracts 600,000 visitors every year.

"The idea was to be ready for the Olympic Games," he added, which begin on July 26.

The Olympic torch is due to pass the venue on July 15.

A show of French cancan, the wild traditional dance from Jacques Offenbach's operettas of the early 19th century, was performed in front of the club on Friday by dancers in traditional petticoats and frills.

"I live in the neighbourhood and the Moulin Rouge has been part of my life for 65 years. I'm a fan of dancing, the French cancan, bubbles and good humour," Nicole Doucin, 86, told AFP.

"I heard of the inauguration on TikTok and I've always wanted to come to a show but it's so expensive, so it's so cool to watch this," said Autumn Mannsfeld, 25, from California.

The sails fell down on the night of April 25.

The first three letters on the cabaret's facade -- M, O and U -– also fell off. No one was injured in the incident.

The club's management has said it has ruled out any "malicious act".

The birthplace of the cancan and the location for Baz Luhrmann's film "Moulin Rouge", the club has since remained open to the public.



Saudi Arabia Sets World Record with Largest Food Cluster

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sets World Record with Largest Food Cluster

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA

Saudi Arabia has set a Guinness World Record for the largest food park in the world by area with the Jeddah Food Cluster, which spans over 11 million square meters and has set a new global benchmark.

Spanning 11 million square meters, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) announced ambitious plans for the cluster, targeting investments of up to SAR20 billion and creating 43,000 job opportunities by 2035. The cluster aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance food security, and support national exports.
Over the next decade, the Jeddah Food Cluster is projected to contribute SAR8 billion to national exports and add SAR7 billion to the GDP. MODON will achieve this by investing in advanced infrastructure, shared services, and innovative solutions.
By integrating services and optimizing supply chains, the cluster aims to reduce operational costs by 5-12%. This will not only benefit businesses but also contribute to strengthening national food security and self-sufficiency in essential commodities.