Located in the heart of the Potager des Princes park, just a stone’s throw from the Château de Chantilly, the Théâtre de la Faisanderie is a unique cultural showcase. Its open-air stage is covered, yet offers a natural, verdant panorama : a bird’s-eye view of the park’s pond, surrounding trees and local wildlife. An intimate, atypical atmosphere, where theatrical performances take place every year on stage and on the water.
Opened in 2004, the building boasts a classic 18th-century decor, the period when the park was built, coupled with unique architecture: the theater’s roof is shaped like a pagoda, to complement the Japanese bridge that crosses the pond opposite.
Anecdotes and curiosities about the Théâtre de la Faisanderie
1. A new architecture for a new life
The Foucault company is responsible for the stage, bleachers and decorative trellis elements characteristic of this park. In 2008, it also erected a pagoda-shaped wooden roof designed by Etienne Poncelet, chief architect of historic monuments. This roof has undergone a remarkable transformation, enabling the theater to be used all year round and even heated in winter.
2. No park, no theater
In the 1990s, an urban development project called for the construction of 58 houses, threatening the park. This was without counting on the fierce resistance of local residents and municipal authorities. Yves Bienaimé, creator of the Musée Vivant du Cheval, succeeded in acquiring the pheasantry and the park in December 1999, and thanks to plans dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, he and head gardener Serge Saje succeeded in restoring the park to the perspectives it had lost over the years, while preserving its unique character.
© Potager des Princes
What can you do at the Théâtre de la Faisanderie?
On the stage of the Théâtre de la Faisanderie, you’ll be able to see a wide variety of theatrical performances. Take a look at the program to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Located in the heart of the Potager des Princes park, you can stroll through the grounds before or after the show and enjoy the many attractions. Rabbit races, chicken races, chicken orchestras, sheepdog work… A great way to spend an afternoon with your family ! Finally, take a detour to the rabbit village and say hello to the park’s free-ranging animals.
The Potager des Princes park with its Théâtre de la Faisanderie is a timeless place in Chantilly. Little paradise of greenery right in the middle of town, it offers an exceptional setting for a walk to discover the animals. It’s this atmosphere that the theater’s stage has managed to capture and combine with its more recent architecture. Many are the venues chosen for Candlelight concerts in and around Paris, but this garden and its intimate theater is one of our favorites.