Théâtre Bernard-Marie Koltès

Théâtre Bernard-Marie Koltès in Nanterre is a compact theatre venue on the campus of Paris Nanterre University, pairing a professional artistic programme with the everyday life of the university and the town.

How do you get there?

The venue sits on Allée de l'Université in Nanterre, inside the Ricœur building, one of the university's main teaching blocks, only a short walk from the Nanterre-Université RER A station. The auditorium entrance, seating area and adjoining car park are all wheelchair accessible, making it one of the more thoroughly adapted performance spaces in the western Paris region.

What's the story behind the building?

The theatre occupies the first floor of the Ricœur building and underwent a full renovation between 2018 and 2019, which brought in updated technical equipment and a 350-seat auditorium. It is named after Bernard-Marie Koltès (1948-1989), one of the most significant French playwrights of the second half of the twentieth century, known for plays such as "La Nuit juste avant les forêts" and "Dans la solitude des champs de coton", and a close collaborator of director Patrice Chéreau. The space is run by the university's cultural and artistic action department (ACA²), which makes it a rare case of a campus theatre with a genuinely public, free programme.

What can you see on stage?

Programming leans toward contemporary drama, socially engaged pieces and productions built in partnership with visiting artists and companies. Across the academic year the venue hosts theatre shows, workshop showcases, festivals and concerts, all free of charge and open equally to students and to Nanterre residents with no university affiliation.

Can visitors join a workshop?

Yes. The theatre runs a year-round programme of artistic workshops led by professional artists, open to students and non-students alike. Options include film, music, photography, radio, theatre, dance, puppetry, plus a choir and an orchestra — turning the venue into a working studio for amateurs as much as a stage for finished productions.

When is the best time to visit?

Activity is concentrated in the academic year, from October to June, when most shows, festivals and workshop showcases take place. The schedule thins out over summer, so autumn or winter visits — checked against the current programme beforehand — are the safer bet.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Théâtre Bernard-Marie Koltès? Inside the Ricœur building on the Paris Nanterre University campus, on Allée de l'Université, a short walk from the Nanterre-Université RER A station.

Who was the theatre named after? Bernard-Marie Koltès, a French playwright (1948-1989) best known for "Dans la solitude des champs de coton", regarded as one of the major voices of twentieth-century French theatre.

How many seats does the auditorium have? 350, following the 2018-2019 renovation, with full wheelchair access to the seating area, entrance and car park.

Is admission to events free? Yes, the programme run by the university's ACA² department is free and open to both the university community and the wider public.