Les Trois Baudets

Les Trois Baudets is a storied concert and cabaret venue in Paris, tucked at the foot of Montmartre in the Pigalle district. For more than seventy years it has been linked to the discovery of new talent in French song and performance.

How to get there?

The venue stands at 64 boulevard de Clichy, on the corner with rue Coustou, in the 18th arrondissement, right between the Pigalle and Blanche neighborhoods. The easiest way in is by metro: Blanche station (line 2) sits just steps from the entrance, with Pigalle station (lines 2 and 12) a short walk further on. The surrounding streets mix nightlife and culture in classic Pigalle fashion — the Moulin Rouge and a string of live-music clubs are all nearby, making it easy to fold a visit into an evening out in the district.

What will you see?

The hall was created in 1947 by Jacques Canetti, an influential producer and talent scout who wanted a place where unknown performers could appear regularly and sharpen their craft night after night in front of a real audience. The name nods to the Théâtre des Trois Ânes in Algiers, which Canetti had previously run. Opened on 16 December 1947, the venue quickly became a breeding ground for French song stars — Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel and Serge Gainsbourg all performed here while still largely unknown, and Boris Vian holds the record for the most appearances on its stage.

Canetti ran Les Trois Baudets until 1967. What followed was a turbulent stretch: the space became a sex shop, then an erotic cabaret, and by the mid-1990s a pop-rock club known as L'Erotika. It wasn't until 2007 that the City of Paris handed management to the RAFU company under a public-service delegation, and after a careful renovation respecting the building's Art Deco character, the hall reopened to the public on 10 February 2009.

Today the main Jacques Canetti hall seats 250 and was built on a "box within a box" principle — the stage and seating rest on a suspended structure with no direct contact with the surrounding building, cutting vibration transfer and giving the room notably clean acoustics. A 30 m² fan-shaped stage keeps every seat focused on the performance. Programming leans heavily on French song alongside concerts by emerging artists and shows blending music with cabaret, and the on-site restaurant-bar, La Mezzanine, is open Monday to Saturday from 7pm to midnight for a drink before or after the show.

When to visit?

The lineup at Les Trois Baudets changes week to week, so it's worth checking the schedule before planning a visit — the venue runs shows most of the year, aside from the summer lull that affects many small Paris music clubs. Weeknights tend to be quieter, with an easier chance of last-minute tickets, while Friday and Saturday evenings draw bigger crowds, especially for better-known acts. Given the venue's intimate size, booking ahead is a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Les Trois Baudets? The venue was opened in 1947 by Jacques Canetti, a music producer who wanted a stage where unknown artists could perform regularly.

Which artists played at Les Trois Baudets? Performers included Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel and Serge Gainsbourg, with Boris Vian holding the record for the most appearances.

How many people does the hall hold? The main Jacques Canetti hall has a seated capacity of 250.

How do you get to Les Trois Baudets? The easiest route is by metro — Blanche station (line 2) is right by the entrance, with Pigalle station (lines 2 and 12) a few minutes' walk away.