Théâtre des Halles

Théâtre des Halles is an intimate theatre venue in the heart of Avignon, housed in a former 14th-century convent on rue du Roi René. For more than four decades it has run a year-round artistic programme, and each July it becomes one of the key venues of the Avignon Off Festival.

How did this stage come to be?

The theatre was founded in 1983 by director Alain Timar, who still leads the company and shapes its distinctive artistic identity today. Timar's directing work extends beyond France, and that international outlook regularly shows up in a repertoire that blends European tradition with influences from further afield. The venue takes its name from the nearby Les Halles market, not from any concert hall — a detail worth knowing before you go looking for the wrong building.

The building itself has a much longer history than the theatre company. It occupies the former Cloître Sainte-Claire, a convent of Poor Clare nuns founded in 1239. Local tradition links the site to the poet Petrarch, who is said to have first met Laura de Noves here — the woman who inspired his most famous love poetry.

What will you see on site?

The theatre uses three distinct spaces within the old convent: the Chapter Room, the Sainte-Claire Chapel, and a garden shaded by a centuries-old cedar tree that doubles as an open-air auditorium in summer. That layout lets Théâtre des Halles stage intimate and experimental productions in a setting no conventional theatre hall can match — bare stone walls, vaulted ceilings and centuries-old architecture become the scenography themselves.

Programming ranges from drama to literary adaptations and in-house productions from Timar's company, running throughout the season with a peak in July, when the venue opens its doors for the Off Festival. Ticket prices generally fall between roughly 13.60 and 23.60 euros, depending on the show and available discounts.

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

Théâtre des Halles sits in Avignon's historic centre, on rue du Roi René, right next to Place Pie and the former Les Halles market hall. The nearest bus stop, Place Pie, is about a five-minute walk from the entrance, making the theatre easy to reach on foot from most of the old town. The venue is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with dedicated spaces in the auditorium.

The theatre operates all year, but the busiest stretch is July, when Avignon is consumed by the Off Festival and the programme fills with premieres and guest productions. Travelers who prefer a quieter visit and a wider choice of shows to pick from are better off planning a trip outside festival season — in autumn, winter or spring.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Théâtre des Halles located? On rue du Roi René, in Avignon's historic centre, a few minutes' walk from Place Pie.

Who founded the theatre, and when? Director Alain Timar founded it in 1983, and he still leads its artistic direction today.

What is the building that houses the theatre? A former 14th-century convent, the Cloître Sainte-Claire, which still holds a Chapter Room, a chapel and a garden with a historic cedar tree.

When is the best time to visit? In summer, especially July, when the theatre is one of the stages of the Avignon Off Festival — or outside festival season for a quieter visit and the full range of programming.