Théâtre de la Bastille

Théâtre de la Bastille is a compact, independent-spirited theatre in Paris, tucked away on rue de la Roquette in the 11th arrondissement, just a short walk from Place de la Bastille.

How to get there?

The theatre sits at 76 rue de la Roquette, in the heart of the 11th arrondissement, east of Place de la Bastille. The surrounding streets are lined with bars, cafés and restaurants that come alive in the evening, making it an easy and pleasant walk from almost anywhere nearby. The closest metro stations are Bastille (lines 1, 5, 8) and Voltaire (line 9), both within a few minutes on foot. The area is also well served by buses and Vélib' bike-share stations for those who prefer cycling.

What's the story behind the building?

The venue's history stretches back to the turn of the 20th century. The building originally housed a small factory before becoming a modest neighbourhood theatre. In 1912, riding the wave of Paris's cinema boom, it was converted into a 1,000-seat picture house with a balcony, known as "Cyrano" or "Cyrano-Roquette."

Theatre only returned to the space in 1969, and even then only partially: the hall was split at balcony level into a lower theatre section (Cyrano-Théâtre) and a smaller 175-seat cinema upstairs (Cyrano-Cinéma). The real turning point came in 1974, when the Théâtre Oblique company moved in and re-established the building firmly as a stage for live performance.

After Oblique left in 1980, the venue was renamed Théâtre de la Roquette, before taking on its current name, Théâtre de la Bastille, in 1982 under director Jean-Claude Fall.

What will you see?

Over the following decades, the theatre built a reputation as one of the key Paris venues for contemporary theatre and dance. Jean-Marie Hordé ran it from 1989 to 2022, a period during which it became a reference point for experimental, boundary-pushing work in both drama and choreography. Its programming has traditionally favoured avant-garde and contemporary creation over conventional repertoire.

For much of its history, Théâtre de la Bastille was considered one of the last privately run independent theatres in Paris, even while receiving public support from the French state, the City of Paris and the Île-de-France region. That changed in 2023, when it became a public theatre; it has since been led by Claire Dupont.

When should you visit?

Paris's theatre season generally runs from September to June, with most venues — Théâtre de la Bastille included — scaling back or closing over the summer break. Autumn through spring is therefore the best window for catching a show, when the programme is at its fullest. Because the auditorium is intimate, seating is limited, so it's worth checking the schedule and booking ahead for anything generating buzz.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Théâtre de la Bastille located? At 76 rue de la Roquette in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, close to Place de la Bastille and the Bastille and Voltaire metro stations.

What did the building used to be? It began as a small factory, then a neighbourhood theatre, and from 1912 operated for decades as the "Cyrano" cinema before theatre returned to the space.

What kind of shows does the theatre put on? It focuses on contemporary theatre and dance, with a programme geared toward experimental and avant-garde work rather than classic repertoire.

Is it a private or public theatre? Until 2023 it was one of the last privately run independent theatres in Paris, though publicly subsidised; since 2023 it has operated as a public theatre under Claire Dupont.