Christian: This story is about truth, beauty, freedom; but above all things, this story is about love.

Christian: I can't write for the Moulin Rouge.
Toulouse-Lautrec: But why not?
Christian: I'm not even sure I am a real bohemian revolutionary!
Toulouse-Lautrec: What? Don't you believe in freedom?
Christian: Well, of course I do...
Toulouse-Lautrec: Beauty?
Christian: Yes.
Toulouse-Lautrec: Truth?
Christian: Yes.
Toulouse-Lautrec: Love?
Christian: Love? Above all things I believe in love! Love is like oxygen. Love is a many-splendored thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love!
Toulouse-Lautrec: See? You can't fool us! We're The Children of the Revolution, we can't be fooled!

Zidler: Outside it may be raining, but in here it's entertaining!

Satine: I can't believe it. I'm in love with a talented, rich, handsome duke.
Christian: Duke?
Satine: Not that the title's important, of course!
Christian: I'm not a duke.
Satine: Not a duke?
Christian: I'm a writer.
Satine: A writer?!

Zidler: We're creatures of the underworld. We can't afford to love.

Christian: Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love.

Satine: What does he go for? Wilting flower? Bright and bubbly? Or smoldering temptress?
Zidler: Oh! Smoldering temptress!

Christian: Tell me the truth!
Satine: The truth is that I am the courtesan... and I choose the maharajah.

Satine: You're going to be bad for business. I can tell.

Zidler: She said you make her feel "like a virgin."
Duke of Worcester: Like a... virgin?
Zidler: Touched for the very first time!

Christian: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.