Are you a theater-lover visiting the City of Light? Here are the most beautiful theaters to see in Paris!
When we speak of France, we’re referring to a leading nation in various cultural disciplines. Music, cinema, painting… France was and still is a European flagship when it comes to artistic creation, and, of course, theater is an integral part of this. In the land of Molière, this demanding art form is the fruit of centuries of history and tradition! This influence is most evident in the capital, Paris, and many French artists keep this heritage alive. They offer performances, contemporary or otherwise, in a wide range of theatres, each more prestigious than the last!
It doesn’t matter if you’re an enthusiastic fan of mythical pieces. Or if you’re just looking for a show to relax in, or even if you don’t know anything about theatre! We’ve put together a short guide to help you find out where to see a play in Paris. Here’s our selection of ten legendary, prestigious and popular venues!
1. Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
Address: 37 bis boulevard de la Chapelle, 75010 Paris
Genre : Musicals/Contemporary/Humor shows
Number of seats : 530
What a funny name! Located on Boulevard de la Chapelle, this theater was abandoned until 1974. It was then taken over, renovated and reopened after six months of intensive renovation. It’s designed to be accessible and popular – there are no numbered seats and a single ticket price after 7pm.
The Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord is definitely one of the best places to see a play in Paris. In addition to plays, you can attend music festivals, dance shows and even program famous singers!
2. The Richelieu Room
Address: 1 place Colette, 75001 Paris
Genre : Classical theater
Number of seats : 862
Where to see a play in Paris at a legendary venue? In the Salle Richelieu, of course, part of the Comédie-Française theater! This historic stage, the embodiment of French expertise in the performing arts, was built at the end of the 18th century. And under the direction of the famous architect Victor Louis, if you please!
This splendid Italian-style theater is a building of grandiloquent splendor, located in the Palais Royal in Paris’s chic 1st arrondissement. In the Salle Richelieu, major works from the French classical repertoire are performed, including plays by Molière, Corneille and Racine. In fact, the armchair where Molière breathed his last still sits in the audience foyer!
3. The Odéon theater
Address: Place de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris
Genre : Contemporary/International
Number of seats : 1280
Here’s one of the capital’s most legendary theaters! The Odéon, located on the square of the same name in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, is a scenic temple and one of the six national theaters. This Italian-style theater (with a cubic stage and semicircular auditorium) was inaugurated as long ago as 1782. And the building housing it, built in the purest neoclassical style, was listed as a historic monument after the Second World War. In addition to its main auditorium, the Odéon has also had a 400-seat annex since 2005. It is named after the Ateliers Berthiers, originally a warehouse for the Paris Opera’s stage sets!
Now officially named the « Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe », the Odéon is one of the best cultural venues in Paris to see a play. Because it hosts contemporary plays that are open to the world and the European continent, and invites renowned directors. And even first-time artists, with productions accessible to all audiences!
4. Théâtre du Rond-Point
Address: 2 bis avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, 75008 Paris
Genre : Comedy/Opera/Contemporary/Insolite
Number of seats : 760
Just a stone’s throw from the most beautiful avenue in the world, you’ll find a legendary place to see a play in Paris. The 760-seat Théâtre du Rond-Point is a UFO in the small world of stage creation. It offers unusual, controversial and subversive contemporary works in three halls. These include plays, circus shows, one-man shows and even operas.
A complete program, therefore, ideal for an evening out, since you can also dine in the adjoining restaurant! And there’s even a fabulous bookshop set up by the management: come and have a look!
5. Théâtre national de Chaillot
Address: 1 place du Trocadéro, 75016 Paris
Genre : Choreographic theater/Ballet
Number of seats : 1600
Like the Odéon, the Théâtre de Chaillot is one of France’s six national theaters where you can see a play in Paris. A prestigious venue, it comprises three halls with a total of 1,750 seats, and welcomes audiences in a sumptuous setting worthy of hosting the most grandiose shows. It’s worth noting that the venue’s neighbors include some illustrious monuments: the Eiffel Tower itself is only a few hundred metres away! The site is also of major historical importance. In the heart of this former UN headquarters, it was in the Great Hall that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed. And that’s just the beginning!
Over the years, the Théâtre national de Chaillot has become almost exclusively devoted to contemporary dance. Nevertheless, there are some interesting choreographic plays and fascinating stylistic studies to be seen.
6. The Folies Bergère theater
Address: 32 Rue Richer, 75009 Paris
Genre : Cabaret/Humor
Number of seats : 679
Les Folies Bergère is one of the best theaters in Paris to see a play. Opened in 1869, closed immediately afterwards during the Franco-Prussian war, then reopened under the Paris Commune. As you can see, the Folies Bergère has had an eventful history right from the start! Les Folies Bergère is a typically Art Nouveau gilded venue, surrounded from the outset by a sulphurous aura. It hosted exotic shows and sensual dancers performing the now-famous « French cancan »! Many famous stand-up artists have performed here, including Chaplin and Trenet.
Today, the management is striving to update the shows with the taste of our times. We offer humorous events, choreographed plays and musicals with a link to the fascinating world of cabaret.
7. Le Trianon
Address: 80 boulevard de Rochechouart, 75018 Paris
Genre : Classical/Contemporary Theater/Comedy/Music
Number of seats : 1091
Located on boulevard de Rochechouart, the Trianon is a splendid building whose Belle Époque architecture stands out from the surrounding buildings. This imposing building is a cultural mecca for Parisian soirées, featuring a splendid ballroom, high ceilings and elegantly decorated rooms. These host a wide variety of shows, from circuses and one-man shows to concerts and classical theater.
Renovated in 2009, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to see a play in Paris! And with good reason, renowned directors come here to present their creations, each more daring than the last.
8. Mogador theater
Address: 23 rue Mogador, 75009 Paris
Genre : Musicals/Magic shows/Concerts
Number of seats : 1600
With its 1,600 seats spread over three levels, the Mogador theater was created in 1919, inspired by the prestigious London Palladium. It was inaugurated in the presence of a certain Franklin D. Roosevelt, the future President of the United States! Since its inception, the Palladium has been one of Paris’s leading cultural venues for theatrical performances. Successful operettas and cabaret revues followed one another over the decades.
Once you’ve passed through the majestic, richly-decorated lobby, the auditorium lends itself to mythical performances. Take Jacques Weber’s Cyrano de Bergerac, for example. In the 2000s, this Mecca of French-language theater also hosted the prestigious Molières Awards Ceremony on four occasions!
9. Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
Address: 5 rue Blainville, 75005 Paris
Genre : Contemporary/Concerts/Music
Number of seats : 110
This theater is dedicated to the presentation of so-called « intellectual » plays, i.e. those focusing on societal, philosophical or even historical subjects. That’s not to say it’s reserved for the elite – quite the contrary! With a seating capacity of just over a hundred, the shows are designed to be intimate and thought-provoking, focusing on carefully chosen subjects. Given the theater’s immediate surroundings (located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, close to the Pantheon, the Sorbonne and the Luxembourg Gardens), how could it be otherwise?
Resolutely focused on contemporary works, it gives pride of place to young talents in stage direction, regularly hosting creative and innovative works. But also concerts where the audience will appreciate the particularly careful acoustics and the feeling of exclusivity.