Guichet Montparnasse

Guichet Montparnasse is a small, intimate theatre in Paris, tucked away on rue du Maine in the 14th arrondissement, right in the heart of Montparnasse.

What is Guichet Montparnasse?

It belongs to a category the French call "théâtres de poche" — pocket theatres with only a few dozen seats, where the distance between actor and audience all but disappears. The name itself, "Guichet" (literally "ticket window" or "box office"), echoes a long tradition of small Parisian venues where the ticket counter and the entrance to the auditorium share the same modest space. Stages like this one typically host one-person shows, comedy, staged readings, and independent productions by emerging companies — the programme changes often, so it's worth checking what's on before you go.

How do you get there?

The theatre sits on rue du Maine, a street running off boulevard du Montparnasse toward rue d'Alésia, in the 14th arrondissement. The location is easy to reach: just a few minutes on foot from Gare Montparnasse, one of the capital's major railway stations, serving the metro, the RER, and long-distance trains heading west out of France. The closest metro stations are around Montparnasse-Bienvenüe and Gaité, both a short walk away. The Tour Montparnasse and the Montparnasse cemetery are also close by.

What's worth seeing nearby?

Montparnasse is one of Paris's historic artistic quarters. In the early 20th century it was home to painters and writers such as Picasso, Modigliani, and Man Ray, and the legendary cafés along boulevard du Montparnasse — La Coupole, Le Dôme, La Rotonde, Le Select — still recall that era today. With its small stage and intimate atmosphere, the theatre itself fits neatly into this tradition of artistic, low-key Paris, well away from the grander, more tourist-heavy venues on the Right Bank.

When should you visit? Box office hours

The box office is open Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:30; Thursday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:30. Performance times are set separately from box office hours, depending on the evening's programme — it's best to confirm by phone before heading over: +33 1 71 39 11 28.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Guichet Montparnasse? On rue du Maine, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, in the heart of Montparnasse, a few minutes' walk from Gare Montparnasse.

How do you book tickets? The simplest way is by phone, at +33 1 71 39 11 28, during box office hours (Tuesday to Saturday, with shorter hours on Thursday).

Is it a large theatre? No — it's a small, intimate "pocket theatre" stage, where the audience watches performances up close, without the distance typical of larger venues.

How do you get there by public transport? The easiest way is the metro to around Montparnasse-Bienvenüe or Gaité station, followed by a short walk along rue du Maine toward the Montparnasse station.