Gaite Lyrique Theatre

Located in the northern section of the Le Marais district in the north of the city centre. The 1,800-seat Theatre de la Gaite was opened on 3rd September 1862. Seating was provided in orchestra and four balcony levels (the top two balconies were for private use and not open to the general public). It was originally a music hall and artists such as Maurice Chevalier appeared on its stage. It became a full-time cinema in 1933. In 1934 it became a venue staging revues. From 1946 it operated as a live theatre. In 1955 it was closed but briefly reopened only to close again in 1950 and was abandoned for the next 20-years. It reopened in 1978 as an alternative variety theatre which closed in 1982. The auditorium was demolished around 1987 and the site became an amusement park named Planete Magique.

It was taken over by a new operator in 1998 and three auditoriums were constructed on the site. The Large Hall has 308-seats in orchestra and two balcony levels. The Small Hall has 70-seats. The Auditorium has 130-seats and is equipped to screen films. Since 2010 it has presented radical and controversial productions. Regular screenings of independent films and festivals of stage productions also feature cinema evenings.

In December 2024 a free admission show was staged and many homeless refugees from former French ruled African countries were invited to attend. After the performance they refused to leave the building and by January 2025 there were almost 300 people occupying the building. This closed the theatre down and performances have been canceled until they vacate the building.

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