Architecture

Théâtre des Variétés

Paris

Théâtre des Variétés is a theatre located at 7 boulevard Montmartre in Paris. Inaugurated in 1807, it is one of the oldest active theatres in the city. The building was classified as a historic monument in 1974 for its facade and vestibule, and registered in the same year for its auditorium.

The theatre owes its creation to Marguerite Brunet, known as Montansier, who had previously owned a theatre in Versailles and taken possession of the theatre des Beaujolais in Paris in 1790. That venue was renamed Variété-Montansier and then Variétés. After her imprisonment for debts in 1803, she led the société des Cinq to build a new theatre near the passage des Panoramas in the former Montmorency-Luxembourg gardens. The new building was designed by Jacques Cellerier and Jean-Antoine Alavoine and opened with Le Panorama de Momus by Marc-Antoine-Madeleine Désaugiers. Later, the theatre was associated with notable events including the creation of La Belle Hélène in 1864 and the first screening of L’Enfant prodigue.

Map showing the location of Théâtre des Variétés in Paris
Location of Théâtre des Variétés in Paris

Nearby Objects

History and Heritage Status

The Theatre des Varietes is located at 7, boulevard Montmartre in Paris and was inaugurated in 1807. It is one of the oldest active theatres in the city, which gives it a notable place in Parisian cultural history. In 1974, the building was protected as part of the historic heritage record: its facade and vestibule were classified as a historic monument, while its auditorium was registered in the same year. These designations reflect the architectural and historical value of the theatre as a long-standing performance venue.

From Montansier's Initiative to a Paris Landmark

The creation of the Theatre des Varietes is linked to Marguerite Brunet, known as Montansier, who already owned a theater in Versailles inaugurated in 1777. In 1790, she took possession of the theatre des Beaujolais under the Palais-Royal arcades in Paris and renamed it first Variete-Montansier and then Varietes. Her success became so notable that a decree ordered the evacuation of her troupe because it was overshadowing the Comedie-Francaise. Later, after being imprisoned for debts in 1803, Montansier was received by Emperor Napoleon, who granted her aid and protection at the age of 77.

Montansier then led the societe des Cinq to build a new theater near the passage des Panoramas in the old Montmorency-Luxembourg gardens. The new theater was designed by Jacques Cellerier and Jean-Antoine Alavoine and inaugurated with Le Panorama de Momus by Marc-Antoine-Madeleine Desaugiers. Over time, the Theatre des Varietes remained an active Parisian stage: in 1864, Jacques Offenbach created La Belle Helene there. During the 1870 siege, the theater also served as one of Paris ambulances under Dr Bonniere.

The venue later entered film history when it hosted the first screening of Michel Carre's L'Enfant prodigue, adapted from Carre's own play of the same name and considered the first European feature-length film, lasting 90 minutes. In 2010, the Theatre des Varietes joined 50 private Paris theaters in the Association for the support of private theater and the National syndicate of theater directors and tour operators, as part of the collective known as Theatres parisiens associes.