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Le Pétomane, The Professional Farting Phenomenon of the Moulin Rouge
One of the most unusual celebrities in Europe was Joseph Pujol, a Frenchman who wowed audiences with his gas
French cabaret Moulin Rouge has been in existence for nearly 135 years and served as a hotspot of culture and prestige during its existence. A mainstay of its home city of Paris, the history of the night club isn’t just high fashion and dance. It has also been the home to popular entertainers like Le Pétomane, who became wildly popular for performing musical numbers by using only his flatulence as an instrument.
Originally called Jardin de Paris, Moulin Rouge opened in 1889. Over the years, it became defined by its affiliation with fashion, popular culture and decadence. The elaborate shows and performers that graced its stage became famous around the world. However, some of them had different skill sets than what might be assumed for such a distinguished institution.
Joseph Pujol, better known by his stage name Le Pétomane, was one of the most memorable and surprisingly popular entertainers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Marseille, France in 1857, he went on to at one point become the highest-paid performer at Moulin Rouge because of his particular ability to musically pass gas.
