The sails — a vibrant emblem of Paris’s bohemian culture — collapsed on April 25 2024 after a show. The incident took place shortly before 2am after the last performance of the night had ended and the audience had left the historic cabaret venue, renowned for its dazzling shows and can-can dancers. Moulin Rouge’s director Jean-Victor Clerico told French media at the time that a “technical problem” led to the windmill’s sails and part of the cabaret’s illuminated sign crashing to the ground. Until their collapse more than a year ago, the Moulin Rouge’s sails had been turning since 1889. They were put back in place in time for the Paris Olympics last July but had not turned until Thursday evening.