L’Odéon was awarded the title of Théâtre de l’Europe in 1990, officially making it one of six national theaters. Its distinctive neoclassical façade is adorned with monumental white stone columns. Located in the heart of Paris’s 6ᵉ arrondissement, it immediately catches the eye and arouses curiosity even before you enter.
With over 200 years of existence, this iconic theater has weathered some great episodes in French history. It has survived two fires, hosted the Comédie-Française for several years and seen many artistic directors come and go, each marking his or her passage with a unique project. Today, the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe is home to Candlelightconcerts, and remains an essential venue where heritage, creation and modernity come together.
A little history
Formerly the Théâtre national de l’Odéon, it was inaugurated in 1782 to house the French theater troupe. Once you’ve passed through its neoclassical facade, you enter a magnificent Italian-style theater, with red velvet-covered seats and a luxurious décor. It wasn’t until 1990 that it was renamed Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe, in line with the project of Giorgio Strehler, the theater’s artistic director at the time, whose mission was to “revitalize Europe’s dramatic heritage”.
What you can do at the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe
The Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe fulfills its primary function, presenting a wide variety of plays every season. And to live up to its name, many plays are staged in several languages, including Spanish, Swedish and Hungarian, with French surtitles. In addition, of course, to French plays. And recently, the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe is hosting a brand new event. In its warmly-colored Italian-style theater, thousands of candles from Candlelight concerts illuminate the decorations, offering classical tributes to all musical genres.
What is Ateliers Berthier?
This former warehouse for stage sets, originally built by Charles Garnier for the Opéra de Paris, served as a temporary venue for the Odéon in 2003. In 2015, work began on improving the technical equipment, and today the Ateliers Berthier is a new venue managed by the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe. With often less expensive seats and other shows, it completes the cultural offering of the famous theater.
How much does a ticket to a show cost?
The good news is that, depending on the section of the theater you choose, you can find tickets for incredible shows ranging from less than 10 euros to around 40 euros. The best news is that if you’re between the ages of 18 and 28, every Thursday there are seats available for this age group. And for those who don’t fall into this category, all preview shows are half-price. A great way to treat yourself to an evening at the theater without breaking the bank.
How do I get there?
Located on the Place de l’Odéon in the 6th arrondissement, this theater is easily accessible by public transport. Either take metro line 4 or line 10 and get off at Odéon station, or take RER B or RER C from Luxembourg to Luxembourg Saint-Michel. And if you prefer to take the bus, numbers 58, 63, 70, 86, 87 and 96 will drop you off.
Which is the oldest theater in Paris?
The oldest monumental theater still in operation in Paris is the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe. Inaugurated in the presence of Marie-Antoinette, it was built by architects Charles De Wailly and Marie-Joseph Peyre to house the Théâtre-Français troupe.
Who were the former directors of the Théâtre de l’Odéon?
Other nearby cultural venues in Paris
The majestic and emblematic Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe is surrounded by several major cultural venues:
- Théâtre du Châtelet (1 km to the northeast) for musicals and concerts,
- Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (1.5 km west) for opera and ballet,
- Théâtre de la Ville (1.5 km north) for contemporary theater and dance.
Paris has no shortage of incredible buildings rich in history. And yet, each of these monuments has something unique and impressive. If it has already proved its worth in Parisian architecture, it now joins the prestigious list of sublime venues to host Candlelight concerts for your listening pleasure.