There’s no denying that Paris, our beloved capital, is full of treasures. It’s home to one of France’s oldest restaurants, an iconic four-century-old café and a church covered in works of art. But today, we’d like to take you to another jewel in Paris’s cultural landscape: the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. A remarkable Art Deco building, absolutely magnificent, which will reopen its doors in early September after a summer closure.
A century-old Art Deco theater in the heart of Paris
Inaugurated in 1913, this sublime venue on the chic Avenue Montaigne is anything but conventional. Built in reinforced concrete by architect Auguste Perret, this Art Deco theater was considered resolutely modern for its time. Indeed, it was the first concert hall to be built in this material. While its exterior may appear sober, even austere compared to other theaters , the interior is quite different.
Its sumptuous red and gold decor is absolutely stunning! You can admire bronze works by Bourdelle and Maurice Denis , who decorated the magnificent dome. There are scenes inspired by ancient Greece, magnificently depicted all around the impressive glass dome adorned with wrought iron.
From 1920 to 1927, the Roaring Twenties were in full swing! Between cabarets, theaters and casinos, Paris was a party. And the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées was part of it, as many influential artists, such as the legendary Josephine Baker, performed there for several years… Well after the Second World War, the public fell under the spell of jazz and its great talents, who came to play on the theater stage: Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, to name but a few…
With a capacity of around 1,900 spectators, the theater offers eclectic, top-level programming (opera, recital, orchestra, dance). This is why it has been one of the capital’s most popular theaters for over 100 years. Closed for the summer until August 31 inclusive, the theater will reopen its doors to the public on September 1, with, we have no doubt, a very fine program.
📍Location: 15 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris – reopening September 1