Eugène Galien Laloue - artiste peintre français

The Canacan was first danced in the 1880’s and rapidly became popular when the Moulin Rouge opened in 1889. People came to Montmartre from all over the world to see the provocative charms of La Goulue, attracted by the high kicking of the dancers and the frills of their petticoats.

« How picturesque was the Moulin rouge at that time! With its gardens where we used to sing in summer and its giant blue elephant in which we would climb up to see the show !»

Yvette Guilbert