AU COEUR DE L'HISTOIRE : La Goulue, splendeurs et misères de la reine du Cancan

Summary

The story of Louise Weber, known as La Goulue, takes us through her rise as a famous dancer at the Moulin Rouge, her fall from fame, and her eventual decline into obscurity. Born in the working-class neighborhood of Montmartre, La Goulue became a celebrated icon, known for her bold performances. However, after a series of personal and professional setbacks, including accidents and alcohol abuse, she faded from the public eye. In her later years, she attempted a comeback but remained largely forgotten. Her legacy was revived posthumously with a commemorative garden in her honor in Montmartre.

Takeaways

• 😀 La Goulue, born Louise Weber, became famous as a can-can dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
• 😀 Her performance at the Moulin Rouge made her a national celebrity and symbolized the spirit of Parisian nightlife.
• 😀 La Goulue's signature move was the 'can-can,' a high-energy, provocative dance that captivated audiences.
• 😀 She was known for her audacious costumes, often featuring embroidery and vibrant designs, which became iconic.
• 😀 The Moulin Rouge initially accused her of unfair competition, but La Goulue continued to perform without fear.
• 😀 After giving birth to her son, Simon Victor, La Goulue took a break from her career but returned to the stage once she grew bored of motherhood.
• 😀 She was painted by Toulouse-Lautrec, who captured her in iconic images now displayed at the Musée d'Orsay.
• 😀 La Goulue's career began to decline as newer dancers, like Miss Tinguette, took over the spotlight in the 1920s.
• 😀 In the 1900s, she formed a relationship with Adrien Pezon, a prestigious animal trainer, and began performing with wild animals in a circus-like setting.
• 😀 In 1904, a puma attacked Pezon, and La Goulue was injured while trying to save him, making headlines in the press.
• 😀 Over time, her career faltered, and La Goulue struggled with alcoholism, eventually losing her fame and wealth.
• 😀 After World War I, the Moulin Rouge reopened but was no longer the same, with new stars replacing La Goulue.
• 😀 In 1925, at 59 years old, La Goulue made a final plea to the new star, Miss Tinguette, to return to the stage, but received no response.
• 😀 In 1928, the dancer Jeane Aubert invited La Goulue back to the Moulin Rouge for one last performance, which marked her final appearance there.
• 😀 La Goulue died in 1930 at 63 years old, largely forgotten, and was buried in a quiet ceremony.
• 😀 In 1992, her remains were moved to the Montmartre Cemetery, and in 2021, a garden in Paris was named in her honor.
• 😀 La Goulue's legacy is forever linked to the history of Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge, where she remains a symbol of the exuberance and decadence of her era.

Q & A

Who was Louise Weber, and what was her stage name?

Louise Weber, known by her stage name La Goulue, was a famous French can-can dancer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She became a star at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

What marked the beginning of La Goulue's fame at the Moulin Rouge?

La Goulue's fame at the Moulin Rouge began with her energetic performances of the can-can dance, which made her an iconic figure. She became the symbol of the Moulin Rouge during its early years.

How did the public and critics view La Goulue's performances?

La Goulue's performances were widely appreciated, with the public seeing her as a captivating and daring performer. However, the Moulin Rouge accused her of unfair competition when she started performing elsewhere, although she remained unfazed.

What major life event caused La Goulue to pause her career?

La Goulue took a break from her career when she became pregnant and decided to focus on caring for her son, Simon Victor, for a year.

What was the significance of Toulouse-Lautrec in La Goulue's life?

The famous artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec painted several portraits of La Goulue, which helped cement her image in popular culture. These paintings, some of which depicted her dancing at the Moulin Rouge, were later displayed in museums.

How did La Goulue's life change after her break from dancing?

After her break, La Goulue grew bored and returned to her performances, eventually involving herself in circus acts and working with animals. She started performing with trained wild animals under the guidance of her lover, Adrien Pezon.

What was the tragic incident involving La Goulue and Adrien Pezon?

In 1904, while performing with wild animals, a puma attacked Adrien Pezon. La Goulue tried to help him but was also injured in the process. The incident was widely covered in the press.

What did La Goulue do after the end of her relationship with Adrien Pezon?

After the end of her relationship with Adrien Pezon, La Goulue continued her career in various ways, including working as a magician’s assistant, selling confectioneries at fairs, and performing at different venues. However, she struggled with alcohol and became less famous.

How did La Goulue's life unfold in her later years?

In her later years, La Goulue's career declined significantly. After the First World War, the Moulin Rouge reopened but was under new leadership, with new stars like Mistinguette replacing La Goulue. She tried to reclaim her place but faced a difficult life marked by aging, alcohol abuse, and financial ruin.

What posthumous recognition did La Goulue receive?

In 2021, a garden in Montmartre was named in honor of La Goulue, thanks to the efforts of her biographer, Marily Martin. This symbolic recognition was the culmination of her return to the Montmartre area, where she had achieved fame.