The Moulin Rouge was founded in 1889 and is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. When it first opened it was an outdoor garden cafe-concert, which aimed to cater for the very rich, allowing them to 'slum' it in a fashionable district. It was an extravagant setting with gigantic elephant's adorning the garden. It provided a place for all walks of life to mix, including workers, local residents, artists, business men, elegant women and foreigners.