The original windmill was built in 1622 and has been immortalized by many famous paintings, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette” from 1876.
The area around the mill became popular as a place to visit for its picturesque views of Montmartre and its surrounding countryside. It also attracted visitors due to the presence of several nearby restaurants, cafés, and cabarets which provided entertainment for locals and tourists alike. This popularity led to it becoming one of the most famous sites in all of Paris during the 19th century.
In addition to being an iconic landmark, Le Moulin de la Galette was also home to some significant historical events throughout its history. One such event occurred on July 14th 1789 when revolutionaries gathered there before marching down to storm the Bastille prison located near Place de la Concorde. Another important moment came in May 1871 when French troops defending against invading Prussians were stationed at Le Moulin prior to their retreat into Paris city limits where they eventually surrendered after two months of siege warfare known as “the Bloody Week” or “La Semaine Sanglante” in French history books.
Today, while much changed since those days long ago, visitors can still admire this beautiful piece of history from afar or take part in one of its many activities available year round, including outdoor concerts on summer evenings or ice skating during winter months with stunning views over Montmartre hillside as backdrop. Furthermore, guided tours are offered every Sunday morning for those who wish to learn more about this fascinating site’s past while taking breathtaking photos along the way.
