Théâtre des Béliers parisiens

Théâtre des Béliers parisiens is a small private theatre tucked into a quiet street on Montmartre, in Paris's 18th arrondissement. It stages French comedy and contemporary drama in an intimate setting, well away from the crowds of the grand boulevard theatres.

Where exactly is it?

The theatre sits at 14 bis rue Sainte-Isaure, a short walk from the Montmartre hill and the Sacré-Cœur basilica. The building has an unusual past — before it belonged to the theatre world, it served as a fruit and vegetable storage space. A local politician, long-serving mayor of the 18th arrondissement, later converted it into a stage for his wife. That origin story explains the venue's cosy, almost neighbourhood feel — this was never built as a grand spectacle house.

Where does the current name come from?

For years the venue operated as the Sudden Théâtre, taking its present name in 2012 after a thorough renovation. The change was driven by four partners — Florent Bruneau, Arthur Jugnot, Frédéric Thibault and David Roussel — who had already taken over the Béliers theatre in Avignon back in 2006 and built its reputation during the festival there. They carried the "Béliers" (Rams) name to Paris as an already-recognised brand among theatre-goers. The choice nods to the zodiac sign Aries — creative, generous and full of imagination — a spirit meant to reflect the venue's programming.

What can you see on stage?

The programme leans on contemporary French plays — comedies, character-driven dramas and author-led productions, often performed by small, tight-knit casts. Names that regularly appear on the bill include Alexis Michalik, one of the most popular writer-directors on the French theatre scene today, Mélody Mourey, and Arthur Jugnot, one of the venue's own founders. It's a repertoire closer to Paris's boutique theatres than to the big revue houses — built around text, acting, and closeness to the audience.

How to get there and when to visit?

The easiest approach is by metro to Jules Joffrin (line 12) or Simplon (line 4), followed by a short walk through Montmartre's quiet backstreets. It pairs naturally with a day spent exploring the hill itself — performances usually run in the evening, so you can spend the day sightseeing and save the theatre for the night. The auditorium is small, so booking tickets ahead is close to essential, especially for shows featuring well-known names.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to speak French to enjoy a show? The entire repertoire is performed in French with no translation or subtitles, so solid language skills are needed to follow the plays.

How big is the auditorium? It's an intimate space, considerably smaller than Paris's boulevard theatres — the audience sits close to the stage, which gives performances a personal, up-close feel.

Does the theatre have a resident acting company? No, productions are staged independently and casts change from one show to the next; the venue functions more as a curated stage hosting different companies.

Is it worth combining with a visit to Montmartre? Yes — the theatre sits right next to the hill, so it fits naturally into a day built around that part of Paris, particularly as an evening close to the day's sightseeing.