Théâtre d'Edgar

Théâtre d'Edgar is a small comedy and cabaret venue in Paris, on boulevard Edgar-Quinet in the 14th arrondissement, right on the edge of Montparnasse. It's the kind of place that has kept feeding the city's comedy scene for decades rather than coasting on past glory — which is reason enough to stop by, even if none of the performers' names ring a bell.

Where does this venue come from?

The theatre opened in 1973, launched by Alain Mallet, who wanted to bring back something of the atmosphere of 19th-century Parisian guinguettes — the informal riverside and suburban venues built around music, dancing and drinking that once thrived near the old Maine tollgate. The café-théâtre format he chose, a small stage paired with a drink or dinner and a live show, fit perfectly with the 1970s, a decade when this kind of intimate venue was popping up all over Paris as an alternative to the big, formal theatres.

How has it changed over the years?

At first there was just one small room, the Café d'Edgar, seating around 65 people. A second room seating eighty, built specifically for theatre and named Théâtre d'Edgar, was added in 1975. Over the following decades the venue built a reputation as a launchpad for comic talent — performers who got their start here include Coluche, Charlotte de Turckheim, Dominique Lavanant and Sylvie Joly, names that went on to become fixtures of French comedy and film. The biggest change came in 2014, when comedian and voice actor Luq Hamett bought the theatre. He merged the two original rooms into one, enlarged the stage, renovated the dressing rooms and renamed the venue Théâtre Edgar — the form it still takes today, with 132 seats.

What can you actually see there?

The programme leans heavily on comedy and cabaret: stand-up, comic monologues, one-person shows and smaller theatrical productions, usually performed in the intimate, almost living-room atmosphere typical of French café-théâtre. The room is small, so the audience sits close to the stage — which matters for this style of humour, built on observation and improvisation more than spectacle. It suits visitors after live, informal comedy rather than a big costumed production.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The theatre sits in the 14th arrondissement, just steps from the Edgar Quinet metro station (line 6), within walking distance of the Montparnasse Cemetery and the Montparnasse Tower. The neighbourhood is well connected and full of cafés, so it's easy to pair an evening show with a stroll around the area afterward. Since the programme changes regularly and performances are mostly in the evening, it's worth checking the current schedule ahead of time and booking early — the rooms are small, so seats sell out fast.

Frequently asked questions

Are the shows performed in French? Yes, the programme is entirely in French, which is worth keeping in mind if you don't speak the language well enough to follow fast, wordplay-driven comedy.

How long does a typical show run? Most shows run between one hour and ninety minutes, depending on the format — from a solo monologue to a longer cabaret-style production.

Should you book tickets in advance? Yes — the room seats only 132 people since the 2014 renovation, and popular shows sell out quickly.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Montparnasse Cemetery, the Montparnasse Tower with its viewing deck, and the many cafés and brasseries typical of this part of Paris are all within easy reach.