Moulin Rouge's iconic windmill sails crash to the ground in terrifying footage

The iconic sails that sit atop Paris' iconic landmark, the Moulin Rouge, have fallen to the ground.

Heartbreaking footage of the catastrophe shows the windmill blades of the French capital's most famous cabaret lying on the bustling street below, with some of the sails seen bent in different directions.

For those who may not have yet ventured to the 'city of love' to explore its historical monuments, the Moulin Rouge is recognised across the globe for being the birthplace of the renowned can-can dance, after being founded in 1889.

The building was opened in 1889. (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Since then, it has remained a hit with tourists visiting the city, with a Broadway musical and star-studded blockbuster both being released, set at and named after the landmark.

It is understood that the incident occurred at some point during the night on the evening of Wednesday 24 April.

The facade of the club has also been damaged during the fall, with the first three letters of the legendary illuminated welcome sign now missing.

According to one of the venue's representatives, the incident must have occurred in the very early hours of the morning, being that the final show of the evening reached its conclusion at around 1.15am.

They told press this morning: "We don't know what happened, it occurred between 02:00 and 03:00 am, no one was hurt."

The sails have been pictured laying on the ground. (X/@nexta_tv)

The cause of the damage to the landmark has not yet been determined by investigators.

According to the BBC, Jean-Victor Clerico - director of the critically-acclaimed cabaret - there was no sign of 'foul play' at the venue, adding the cause was 'obviously a technical problem'.

Speaking to AFP, another official claimed that the landmark's technical team check the famous windmill each week, but that no problems were reported in the days prior to the fall.

Local resident Andre Duval - who worked as head waiter at the Moulin Rouge in the 1980s - told La Parisien newspaper: "Paris without its windmill is like Paris without its Eiffel Tower."

The only other disaster to befall the long-standing building was all the way back in 1915.

The cause of the incident hasn't yet been determined. (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images)

It was then that the Moulin Rouge caught fire and suffered several damage.

It was subsequently closed for nine years.

The concerning incident comes just weeks before the city of Paris is to host this year's Olympic Games, which kick off in July and run until August.