Théâtre des Blancs-Manteaux

Théâtre des Blancs-Manteaux was a small café-théâtre venue in the heart of the Marais in Paris, on the street of the same name. Although the hall closed for good in 2024, for more than fifty years it served as a launchpad for French comedy and song, and the address itself remains a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in the history of Parisian cabaret.

How did the theatre come to be here?

In 1970, René Liotaud — a former plasterer turned entrepreneur — bought the building on the corner of rue Aubriot and rue des Blancs-Manteaux. The property needed work, so it was quickly renovated: several apartments were sold off, the ground floor became a restaurant, and the basement was turned into a nightclub known as the Nino' Club. The timing was fortunate: back then the Marais had none of its current cachet, real estate was cheap, and while the neighborhood already had plenty of cafés and restaurants, it lacked a performance venue. The theatre opened its doors to the public in 1972 and quickly established itself as a stage with the intimate feel of cabaret and café-théâtre.

Who got their start here?

The Blancs-Manteaux became known as a place where future stars took their first bows long before national fame found them. Performers including Renaud, Marc Jolivet, Jacques Higelin, Alex Métayer, Michèle Laroque, Virginie Lemoine, Romain Bouteille, Jacques Villeret, Marianne James and Jean-Luc Lemoine all played here early in their careers. That roster of names is exactly why, for decades, the venue had a reputation as the place to spot rising talent in French comedy and song before they reached bigger stages and television screens.

What were the two halls like?

The venue had two performance spaces, one of them below ground. The larger room, named after Jacques Higelin, sat 80 people; the smaller one, named in honor of Michèle Laroque, held 60. This dual setup let the venue run different shows side by side — stand-up, cabaret, musical acts, short comic pieces — making it a flexible stage for both newcomers and established performers.

Why did it close in 2024?

On August 20, 2024, the definitive closure of the Théâtre des Blancs-Manteaux was announced, brought on by financial difficulties. The decision ended more than half a century of activity for a stage that had long stood as one of the smaller but well-known institutions of Parisian cabaret. The building on rue des Blancs-Manteaux remains part of the Marais streetscape, and the street itself — named after monks who once wore white mantles — is still worth a walk for anyone exploring this corner of the 4th arrondissement.

How do you get there?

The address is 15 rue des Blancs-Manteaux, right in the heart of the Marais, between the Saint-Gervais and Saint-Merri quarters. The nearest métro station is Rambuteau, about 160 meters away — under a 3-minute walk. Alternatively, you can approach from Hôtel de Ville station, roughly 430 meters away, about a 6-minute walk. The location fits neatly into a broader Marais stroll, surrounded by boutiques, cafés and other historic buildings typical of the district.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Théâtre des Blancs-Manteaux still open? No — it closed for good on August 20, 2024, due to financial difficulties, after more than fifty years in business.

Why does this venue matter in the history of Parisian cabaret? Because its stages hosted the early performances of artists who later became major names in French comedy and song, including Renaud, Jacques Higelin and Michèle Laroque.

How do you reach rue des Blancs-Manteaux? The easiest way is by métro to Rambuteau (about a 3-minute walk) or Hôtel de Ville (about a 6-minute walk) — both stations sit right in the center of the Marais.

Where does the street's name come from? It comes from a mendicant order, the Servants of Mary, whose monastery once stood on the site — the monks wore distinctive white mantles, giving rise to the name "Blancs-Manteaux."