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Theatres in Paris

Theatre Paris
Table of Contents

A selection of Parisian theatres to discover.

Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin (1781)
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Built in 1781, the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is one of the oldest theatres in Paris. Its grand 1,000-seat auditorium hosted the premiere of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897. A listed historic monument, it continues to stage plays, musicals and large-scale shows.

  • District: 10th (18, Boulevard Saint-Martin)
  • Metro: Strasbourg – Saint-Denis (lines 4, 8, 9), République (lines 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
  • Website: https://www.portestmartin.com

Théâtre du Palais-Royal (1784)
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Built in 1784 within the grounds of the Palais-Royal, this listed 716-seat venue is a jewel for comedy. From Molière to Guillaume Gallienne, the theatre upholds a tradition of elegant comedies and refined shows in an exceptional historical setting.

Théâtre des Variétés (1807)
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Inaugurated in 1807 on Boulevard Montmartre, the Théâtre des Variétés is one of the oldest active theatres in Paris. Its Italian-style 900-seat auditorium has hosted Offenbach’s operettas, Josephine Baker’s revues and countless boulevard comedies. A listed historic monument, it remains a temple of laughter and popular entertainment.

Théâtre de la Renaissance (1838)
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Founded in 1838, the Théâtre de la Renaissance is a historic 650-seat venue on Boulevard Saint-Martin. Sarah Bernhardt triumphed here at the end of the 19th century. Today it stages comedies, contemporary drama and one-person shows in an elegant Second Empire setting.

Théâtre Marigny (1855)
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Located in the gardens of the Champs-Élysées, the Théâtre Marigny is one of the most prestigious theatres in Paris. Built in 1855 and reopened in 2018 after a full restoration, it features a grand 1,024-seat auditorium and a 300-seat studio. Its programme blends major comedies, classic plays and landmark shows in a sumptuous setting.

  • District: 8th (Carré Marigny, Avenue de Marigny)
  • Metro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (lines 1, 13), Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1, 9)
  • Website: https://www.theatremarigny.fr

Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse (1868)
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Founded in 1868, the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse is a 350-seat venue on Rue de la Gaîté, in the heart of the Montparnasse district. Specialising in comedies and one-person shows, it offers a varied programme in an intimate atmosphere. Its long history makes it one of the pillars of theatrical life on the Left Bank.

  • District: 14th (26, Rue de la Gaîté)
  • Metro: Edgar Quinet (line 6), Gaîté (line 13), Montparnasse – Bienvenüe (lines 4, 6, 12, 13)
  • Website: https://www.gaite.fr

Théâtre Montparnasse (1886)
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Founded in 1886, the Théâtre Montparnasse is a 730-seat venue on Rue de la Gaîté. A landmark for comedy and auteur theatre, it was once run by Lars Schmidt and Madeleine Renaud. Its programme blends hit comedies, revisited classics and contemporary creations.

  • District: 14th (31, Rue de la Gaîté)
  • Metro: Edgar Quinet (line 6), Gaîté (line 13), Montparnasse – Bienvenüe (lines 4, 6, 12, 13)
  • Website: https://www.theatremontparnasse.com

Théâtre de Paris (1891)
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Located on Rue Blanche, the Théâtre de Paris has been an institution since 1891. With its two auditoriums (850 and 200 seats), it is one of the leading comedy venues in Paris. From Sacha Guitry to Pierre Palmade, the biggest names in French humour and boulevard theatre have performed here.

Théâtre des Mathurins (1897)
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Founded in 1897, the Théâtre des Mathurins is an intimate 370-seat venue in the Madeleine district. Specialising in boulevard comedies and contemporary plays, it has hosted playwrights such as Jean Anouilh and Marcel Achard. A warm and welcoming setting for an evening of laughter.

Théâtre Antoine (1897)
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Founded in 1897 by André Antoine, a pioneer of naturalist theatre, this 700-seat venue on Boulevard de Strasbourg is now a cornerstone of Parisian comedy. Its programme features crowd-pleasing comedies often led by well-known film actors.

  • District: 10th (14, Boulevard de Strasbourg)
  • Metro: Strasbourg – Saint-Denis (lines 4, 8, 9), République (lines 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
  • Website: https://www.theatre-antoine.com

Théâtre Michel (1906)
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Founded in 1906, the Théâtre Michel is a 450-seat venue on Rue des Mathurins, steps from the Madeleine. Dedicated to boulevard comedies and light plays, it is appreciated for its friendly atmosphere and crowd-pleasing programme. Many hit comedies have premiered here before touring across France.

Théâtre La Bruyère (1906)
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Founded in 1906, the Théâtre La Bruyère is an intimate 300-seat venue on Rue La Bruyère, in the Nouvelle-Athènes district. Its small capacity creates a privileged setting for comedies and auteur plays where the closeness to the performers makes every show a vivid experience. It has launched many talents and remains a landmark for discerning theatre-goers.

Théâtre Édouard VII (1913)
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Inaugurated in 1913, the Théâtre Édouard VII is an intimate Italian-style venue with 690 seats, nestled in the heart of the Opéra district. Renowned for its programme of boulevard plays and contemporary comedies, it is named after King Edward VII of England, a great lover of Paris.

Théâtre Mogador (1919)
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Inaugurated in 1919, the Théâtre Mogador is an immense 1,600-seat venue on Rue de Mogador, near the Opéra. The premier destination for musicals in Paris, it has hosted international productions such as The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables. Its scale and stage make it the ideal theatre for large-scale musical shows.

  • District: 9th (25, Rue de Mogador)
  • Metro: Trinité – d’Estienne d’Orves (line 12), Chaussée d’Antin – La Fayette (lines 7, 9)
  • Website: https://www.mogador.net

Théâtre des Nouveautés (1921)
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Inaugurated in 1921, the Théâtre des Nouveautés is the temple of vaudeville and light comedy. Its 580-seat auditorium on Boulevard Poissonnière programmes exclusively comedies, often starring well-known French film and television actors.

Théâtre de la Michodière (1925)
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Built in 1925 in Art Deco style, the Théâtre de la Michodière is a 700-seat venue dedicated to comedy for nearly a century. Its elegance and acoustics make it a sought-after location for boulevard comedies by the finest contemporary playwrights.

  • District: 2nd (4 bis, Rue de la Michodière)
  • Metro: Quatre-Septembre (line 3), Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8)
  • Website: https://www.michodiere.com

Théâtre Saint-Georges (1929)
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Inaugurated in 1929, the Théâtre Saint-Georges is an elegant 500-seat venue on Rue Saint-Georges. With its Art Deco façade and refined interior, it programmes comedies, contemporary theatre and classic plays. Many Parisian boulevard hits have been created or revived here.

Théâtre Hébertot (1940)
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An intimate 620-seat venue on Avenue de Villiers, the Théâtre Hébertot has been staging comedies and contemporary theatre since 1940. Known for the quality of its scripts and the closeness between performers and audience, it remains a favourite among Parisian theatre-goers.

Théâtre Fontaine (1946)
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Founded in 1946, the Théâtre Fontaine is a 600-seat venue on Rue Fontaine, in the heart of the Pigalle district. Specialising in comedy and boulevard theatre, it has hosted memorable shows featuring the biggest names on the French stage. Its warm atmosphere and crowd-pleasing programme make it a must for comedy lovers.

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