PARIS, France — While the athletes in the Olympic Games will be the center of attention in Paris next month, there's another place likely getting a little attention, too.
We're talking about the Moulin Rouge. The can-can, one of the most recognized dances in the world, got its start there more than 100 years ago.
At the Moulin Rouge, performers like Jonah Wilkins spend a lot of time perfecting a dance that originated more than 130 years ago.
"We do the can-can 12 times a week," Wilkins said. "And that's year-round."
The can-can has become one of the most well-known dances across the planet.
"It's one of the most famous dances, I would say," said Fanny Rabasse, with the Moulin Rouge.
The dance was created during the French Revolution.
"It was a way for the women of the people to say, 'We are not happy about our condition, you know, we want to fight the government, we want to fight the army, we want to fight the church,'" Rabasse said.
Back then, even posters at the Moulin Rouge became a scandal.
"It was very shocking because in that poster, she turns and she shows her knickers," Rabasse said.
So this dance really turned heads, with variations added over the years to tease the French Army.
"The dancer, she takes her leg and puts the legs here, and it's like she's holding a rifle, so it was a way to mock the Army," Rabasse said.
And all these years later, the can-can is still being performed on the Moulin Rouge stage.
"The dancers are proud to continue the tradition of the can-can because at that time, you know, when it was created, it was a way for the women to show their strength, to liberate themselves," Rabasse said.
It is a big part of the Moulin Rouge tradition. Rabasse said dancers will keep doing the can-can and keep French history kicking.
"Because the Moulin Rouge is associated to the can-can," Rabasse said.