Les Gémeaux

Les Gémeaux is a national performing-arts venue — a scène nationale — in Sceaux, a quiet town in the Hauts-de-Seine department just south of Paris. Under one roof, three halls take turns hosting theatre, contemporary dance and jazz, an unusually broad mix for a venue of this size.

Where does the name come from, and what's the history?

The venue traces back to 1961, when the Sceaux town council decided to build a socio-educational centre, which later evolved into a full cultural venue. The building opened on 15 October 1970, and two years later it was renamed Les Gémeaux — French for "the Twins" — marking the growing partnership between Sceaux and the neighbouring town of Bourg-la-Reine. In 1994, following a major renovation of its performance spaces, the venue received the Ministry of Culture's scène nationale label, placing it among France's most significant performing-arts institutions. Françoise Letellier ran the theatre for over three decades, from 1985 until January 2021; Séverine Bouisset has directed it since February 2021.

What will you see inside?

The complex is split into three distinct spaces. The Grand Théâtre, the largest hall, seats 510 and hosts theatre productions and larger dance pieces. The Petit Théâtre, a more intimate 179-seat room, is used for smaller-scale and experimental work. The third space, Sceaux What, seats 150 and functions as the venue's jazz club, anchoring the musical side of the programme. Les Gémeaux builds its season around three core disciplines — theatre, dance and jazz — combined into a programme that draws audiences from across the greater Paris region and beyond.

How do you get there?

The theatre is located at 49 avenue Georges Clemenceau, 92330 Sceaux. The easiest route is the RER B train to Bourg-la-Reine station: leave via exit 3 toward rue des Blagis, and it's roughly a 5-minute walk to the building. Bus line 188 also stops right by the entrance, at the Georges Clemenceau stop.

When should you visit?

Programming follows the cultural season, running mainly from autumn through spring, with a lighter schedule of events in summer. Because the line-up changes weekly and individual shows often run for only a handful of evenings, it's worth checking the venue's current calendar before planning a visit and booking ahead — seating in the two smaller halls is limited and shows there sell out quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exact address of Les Gémeaux? The venue is at 49 avenue Georges Clemenceau, 92330 Sceaux, in the Hauts-de-Seine department.

How do you get there without a car? Take the RER B to Bourg-la-Reine station (exit 3, about a 5-minute walk) or bus line 188 to the Georges Clemenceau stop.

How many halls does the theatre have, and how do they differ? Three: the Grand Théâtre (510 seats, larger productions), the Petit Théâtre (179 seats, intimate work) and Sceaux What (150 seats, jazz club).

Since when has Les Gémeaux held the scène nationale label? Since 1994, when the Ministry of Culture granted the title after a renovation of the halls — the venue itself has operated since 1970.