Sunday Children’s Matinee at Moulin Rouge, Paris, ca. 1950s

Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris, France. It is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe.

The Moulin Rouge swiftly became notorious for its staff of young can-can girls who performed routines that were as flexible as the rich patrons’ morals.

In the 1950s, the iconic Parisian cabaret has a kiddie matinee! Who knew? Even more unexpected is that these photographs, simply titled, “Moulin Rouge Night Club -Sunday Children’s Matinee“. Of course the dancers’ costumes appear to be more toned down for the matinee, but it’s still amusing to see these wide-eyed kids watching with fascination as the leggy ladies parade across the stage…

(Photos by Allan Grant/LIFE photo archive, via Messy Nessy Chic)