Théâtre Artistic Athévains

Théâtre Artistic Athévains is a small, intimate theatre in Paris, tucked into the 11th arrondissement on rue Richard-Lenoir. Behind its unassuming facade lies a century of shifting entertainment history, culminating in a respected stage for contemporary drama.

How to get there?

The venue sits at 45 bis rue Richard-Lenoir, right in the heart of the 11th arrondissement — a district known for its cafes, bars and independent cultural scene, close to Bastille and Place de la République. The area is well served by metro, with the nearest stations just a short walk away. This part of Paris has long attracted locals looking for a less touristy, more authentic evening out.

What will you see?

The building's story begins in the early 20th century as a café-concert, a popular format of the time combining a café with musical and variety acts. In 1913 it was renamed "Folies Artistic", and through the 1920s, as the "Artistic Concert", it staged revues, operettas and vaudeville — standard fare for the entertainment scene between the wars. In 1935 the venue switched to cinema, operating as "Artistic Voltaire" until 1970. Only in 1980 did the space return to live theatre, taking on its current name, Artistic Athévains.

Today the theatre seats 220 people and runs a programme open to a range of performing arts — not only spoken drama, but also dance, opera and musical comedy. The repertoire leans mainly toward contemporary work, though classic texts occasionally make it onto the bill. Artistic direction is shared by Anne-Marie Lazarini and Dominique Bourde, giving the programming a consistent creative signature.

The intimate scale of the auditorium puts audiences close to the action — a quality especially appreciated by fans of independent theatre looking for an alternative to Paris's larger, more institutional stages.

When to visit?

Paris's theatre season generally runs from September to June, pausing over the summer break, so that stretch is the best time to catch a full programme. The box office is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm, and on weekends — Saturday 2pm to 8pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm — though hours can shift depending on the current performance schedule. It's worth checking the programme before your visit and booking ahead, since the auditorium is small.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Théâtre Artistic Athévains located? At 45 bis rue Richard-Lenoir, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, not far from Bastille.

What kind of shows does the theatre put on? Mostly contemporary plays, with occasional classics — alongside spoken drama, it also hosts dance, opera and musical comedy.

How many seats does the venue have? 220, making it a compact, intimate stage.

Has the building always been a theatre? No — it started as an early 20th-century café-concert and later operated as a cinema (1935–1970) before becoming a theatre again in 1980.