Moulin de la Galette (Galette Windmill), Paris

A legendary spot in Montmartre, the historic Galette Windmill is known for more than its original milling purposes. First built in 1622, the place evolved to include a famous tavern, eventually becoming a prominent leisure spot to which it owes its current fame.

Beneath the surface of the festive atmosphere, the site bears marks of historical strife. The Debray family, who acquired the windmill in 1809, expanded its operations from flour production to pressing harvest and grinding materials for manufacturing. During the siege of Paris by Russian Cossacks at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in 1814, and then during the Franco-Prussian War, in 1870, four Debray men lost their lives defending the property and were nailed to the wings of the windmill.

The surviving Debray son transformed the mill into a tavern, capitalizing on the popularity of its galette, a type of brown bread they produced. Adding alcohol to its menu, the windmill became a cabaret and attracted Parisians with its simple country pleasures — a glass of wine, fresh bread made from the mill's flour, and panoramic views of Paris and the Seine down below. The idea was an instant success and the introduction of a dance hall in 1833, dedicated to the Greek muse Terpsichore, further solidified its status as a social and cultural hub.

Artists like Renoir, van Gogh, and Picasso immortalized the vibrant atmosphere of the place in their paintings. The most famous of them is Renoir's depiction called "Dance at the Galette Windmill."

Despite destruction threats and changes over time, including shifts from an open-air café to a music hall, television studio, and restaurant, the property was preserved and declared a monument in 1958.

The Radet windmill marks the entrance to The Galette Windmill bistro, preserving its legacy as a historical and cultural landmark. In fair weather, the place is still a great spot to savor locally made wine and enjoy live music in the garden, much like the Parisians did centuries ago in Renoir's famous painting.