Barbes Palace

Built in 1914 as a movie theatre with a narrow lobby on the boulevard Barbes and a huge facade on the other side of the building on a small street, this movie theatre was never twinned and kept his neoclassical design until the end.

The auditorium had something magic with two balconies a stage and was run by the same family until closing.

After a long period as a neighbourghood theatre, and due to the change of patrons in this district during the Sixties (mostly immigrants from North Africa), the program policy turned to B movies and karate movies.

In 1985, after an adult movies program policy which was not successful, the Barbes closed despite many vain attempts to get the building listed because it really deserved to be.

The architect who was in charge to convert the theatre into a shoe store was so impressed by the neoclassical design that he talked the new owner into keeping the balcony as part of the design and with a sense of humour, the screen was replaced by a huge painting of a bulldozer. It deserves a tour.

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater