Industrial · Architecture

Théâtre Montparnasse

Paris

Théâtre Montparnasse is a theatre building in Paris with a site history linked to performances since 1817. In 1851, the theatre was owned by Jules Seveste and Edmond Seveste, who hired Henri Larochelle as director. After Larochelle’s death, his widow and Louis-Hubert Hartmann commissioned Charles Peigniet to build a new theatre, which opened on 9 October 1886.

Peigniet designed the house and its three-story facade with three axes. The exterior is decorated with cornices, masks, and balustrades in front of the windows. The upper floor includes a mezzanine-like level with a tondo showing a laurel-wreathed bust of Henri Larochelle. Two caryatid herms on the first floor have a purely decorative function.

The theatre also has a notable performance history. André Antoine used it in 1887 and 1888 and presented 15 new productions before moving to Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs. Later, Gaston Baty led the theatre from 1930 to 1943, during which it was temporarily named Théâtre Montparnasse-Gaston Baty and gained increased international reputation. Marguerite Jamois directed it from 1944 to 1964 and staged works by contemporary authors as well as pieces by Racine, Shakespeare, and Paul Achard.

Map showing the location of Théâtre Montparnasse in Paris
Location of Théâtre Montparnasse in Paris

Nearby Objects

Facade Design and Architectural Details

The house was designed by Charles Peigniet. Its three-story facade is organized into three axes and decorated with cornices, masks, and balustrades placed in front of the windows. The upper floor, treated like a mezzanine, includes a tondo with a laurel-wreathed bust of Henri Larochelle. Two caryatid herms were also incorporated on the first floor, serving a purely decorative function.

History and Theatrical Leadership

The Théâtre Montparnasse stands on a site where theater had been performed since 1817. In 1851, the theater was owned by Jules Seveste and Edmond Seveste, who hired Henri Larochelle as director. After Larochelle's death, his widow and Louis-Hubert Hartmann commissioned Charles Peigniet to build a new theater. The present theater opened on October 9, 1886.

The theater later became associated with André Antoine, who used it in 1887 and 1888 before moving to the Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs. During his time at the Théâtre Montparnasse, he produced 15 new productions.

A major phase began under Gaston Baty, who led the theater from 1930 to 1943. During this period, the theater was temporarily named Théâtre Montparnasse-Gaston Baty, and its international reputation increased. Baty staged a wide range of works, including adaptations of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment in 1933, Flaubert's Madame Bovary in 1936, Cervantes' Don Quixote under the title Dulcinee in 1938, and Racine's Phèdre in 1940 and Bérénice in 1946. He also staged Hamlet in 1929 and plays by August Strindberg, Goethe, Bernard Shaw, and Eugene O'Neill.

Marguerite Jamois and the Repertoire

Marguerite Jamois led the theater from 1944 to 1964 and shaped its programming with a mix of contemporary authors and classical works. During her tenure, she staged Racine's Berenice and Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. She also presented a stage adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons by Paul Achard, in which she played the role of Marquise de Merteuil, while Daniel Lecourtois played the Comte de Valmont. This period reflects a repertoire that combined established dramatic texts with modern theatrical interpretation.

From Ibsen to International Programming

In 1958, Raymond Rouleau staged Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler at the Théâtre Montparnasse, with Ingrid Bergman in the title role. Bergman made her French stage debut in this production, giving the theater a notable place in mid-20th-century theatrical history. The theater later entered a new phase in 1965, when Lars Schmidt bought it and appointed Jerome Hullot as artistic director. Under Schmidt and Hullot, many Anglo-Saxon authors were introduced to the French stage, and authors and actors such as Harold Pinter, Peter Shaffer, Noel Coward, Arnold Wesker, and Murray Schisgal appeared during their leadership. In 1984, Schmidt sold the theater and Myriam Feune de Colombi became artistic director. She presented young French authors including Jean-Marie Besset, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Gerald Sibleyras, Antoine Rault, and Florian Zeller. After her death in April 2021, Bertrand Thamin became artistic director.

Le Petit Montparnasse

Le Petit Montparnasse was established in 1979 by Lars Schmidt and Jerome Hullot in a former scenery depot, originally with 100 seats. The hall was remodeled in 1998 and expanded to 299 seats, before being redesigned again in 2003 by Myriam Feune de Colombi, when it was arranged for 200 seats. The venue mainly presents plays by contemporary young authors, giving it a clear profile within the theatrical landscape of Montparnasse.