Théâtre de la Cité internationale

Théâtre de la Cité internationale is a theatre in Paris, tucked inside the campus of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CIUP) in the 14th arrondissement, close to Parc Montsouris. It occupies an unusual dual role: part of a large student residential campus, yet a fully public cultural venue open to any visitor, not only to residents of the campus's national houses.

How to get there?

The theatre sits in the southern part of Paris, right at the edge of the 14th arrondissement. The easiest approach is the RER B line to Cité Universitaire station, from which it's only a short walk onto the campus grounds. Tram line T3a stops near the same station, and city buses run along Boulevard Jourdan close by. The campus itself is large and leafy, so it's worth allowing a few extra minutes to walk from the station to the theatre building set back within the grounds.

What's the history behind it?

The theatre opened in November 1936 alongside the Maison Internationale, the flagship building of the whole campus. Construction was funded by a donation from John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the opening ceremony was presided over by then French president Albert Lebrun. The building underwent a thorough renovation in 2004, when architects modernized the auditorium and technical facilities while preserving the original structure's character.

Over the decades the venue's artistic direction shifted repeatedly with each new director. In the late 1960s André-Louis Perinetti took over, appointed during the upheaval of May 1968 with a mandate for bold, experimental programming. Guy Caron led the house through the 1970s and into the early 1990s, followed by Nicole Gautier, who steered it for seventeen years and turned it into a significant venue for contemporary creation. Through the first years of the 2000s the focus moved toward dance, performance and visual theatre, and from 2016 for close to a decade the priority became supporting emerging theatrical talent. Since autumn 2025 a new leadership team has taken charge, continuing the venue's tradition as a stage open to experimentation.

What will you see on stage?

The programming is deliberately multidisciplinary: alongside spoken theatre, the schedule regularly includes contemporary dance, circus arts and music. A defining feature of the venue is its long-standing commitment to young theatre companies — early-career artists are offered multi-year creative residencies along with accompanying workshops and educational activities. As a result, the programme often showcases lesser-known but adventurous artists well before they reach Paris's larger stages.

When should you visit?

The season runs from autumn through spring, with most productions on hiatus during the July–August summer break. The richest choice of premieres and events typically falls between October and June. Booking ahead is advisable, especially for residency productions from young companies — the auditorium is intimate, and many shows run for only a handful of evenings.

Frequently asked questions

Is the theatre in central Paris? No — it lies in the south of the city, on the Cité internationale universitaire campus, roughly fifteen minutes from the centre by RER B.

Do you need to be a student to attend a show? No, the theatre is open to everyone; tickets can be bought by any visitor, whether or not they live on the campus.

What kind of shows dominate the programme? The lineup is varied — spoken theatre, contemporary dance, circus and music — with particular emphasis on work by emerging artists.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes, the CIUP campus itself, known for the distinctive architecture of its national student houses, and the neighbouring Parc Montsouris both make for a natural extension of a visit to the theatre.