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Origin and history

The Moulin de la Galette designates two windmills located on the Montmartre hill in Paris: the Blute-fin and the Radet. These mills, built in the 17th century, belonged to the Debray family, millers since the 16th century. The Blute-fin, mentioned in 1622 as the "mill of the Palace", and the Radet, moved and rebuilt in 1717, were transformed into guinguette and public ball in the 19th century. Their name comes from rye cakes served with milk, then wine, attracting a popular clientele and artists like Renoir or Toulouse-Lautrec.

The Debray family, who had owned the mills since 1809 for the Blute-fin and 1812 for the Radet, installed a ball there in 1833, originally called "Bal Debray". This place became a high place of Parisian entertainment, famous for its dances (polka, cancan) and its festive atmosphere. The Blute-fin mill, last in working order, was restored in 1978 and ranked Historic Monument in 1958. The Radet, disassembled in 1915 and moved, is now used as a decoration at a restaurant.

The mills also witnessed historical events, such as the resistance of the Debrays against the Russians in 1814. Father Debray, killed during the battle, had his body mutilated and exposed on the wings of the mill. His son, wounded but surviving, perpetuated the family legacy by developing the ball. In the 20th century, the site hosted accordion competitions and radio programs before closing in 1966.

The Moulin de la Galette inspired many artists, including Renoir with his painting Bal du Moulin de la Galette (1876). The place, symbol of the bohemian montmartreuse, attracted figures such as the Goulue, Valentin the Boneless, or painters like Van Gogh and Picasso. Today, although not accessible to the public, it remains an emblem of Parisian heritage, mixing industrial history, local resistance and popular culture.

The Montmartre hill, once covered with mills (more than twenty-five in the 18th century), saw its population evolve from millers and winemakers to cabaretiers and artists. The gypsum quarries and guinguettes, like the Poirier-sans-Pareil, made this neighborhood a place of celebration and creation. Urbanisation and Haussmannian works transformed Montmartre, but the Moulin de la Galette preserved its festive soul until the middle of the 20th century.

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