Théâtre des Nouveautés

Théâtre des Nouveautés is a working theatre in Paris, standing at 24 boulevard Poissonnière in the 9th arrondissement, right in the middle of the Grands Boulevards — one of the city's oldest and most theatre-dense strips.

Where is it, and how do you get there?

The building sits on boulevard Poissonnière, the stretch of the Grands Boulevards linking the area around the Opéra with the Sentier district. The address puts it steps from the Grands Boulevards metro station, served by lines 8 and 9, which makes it one of the easier theatres to reach in central Paris. The same boulevard and the side streets around it are lined with other historic stages and cinemas — a legacy of the era when the Grands Boulevards were the main entertainment strip for Parisian high society.

What's the history behind the name?

The name Théâtre des Nouveautés is older than the current building. It first appeared in Paris in 1827, and over the following century it was carried by several different theatre companies and buildings around the city, each inheriting the name from its predecessor without necessarily continuing the same programme or company. The building standing today at 24 boulevard Poissonnière dates from 1921, and it's this one that has held the name at this address for over a hundred years. A single name passed between several addresses and incarnations over two centuries is typical of how Parisian boulevard theatres operated in the 19th and 20th centuries — venues, owners and buildings changed, but a recognisable name kept drawing the regular audience.

What should you know before visiting?

This is a working theatre, not a museum, so a visit means booking a ticket for a specific show rather than dropping in during the day. The best time to come is in the evening, ahead of a performance, when you can take in the façade and entrance before heading inside; afterwards, the boulevard outside stays lively with restaurants and bars well into the night. Given the central location, it's easy to pair an evening at the theatre with dinner nearby or a walk through the Grands Boulevards and the covered passages just off them.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Théâtre des Nouveautés? At 24 boulevard Poissonnière, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, right by the Grands Boulevards metro station.

How old is the theatre? The name dates back to 1827 and was used by several earlier companies and buildings; the current building on boulevard Poissonnière was constructed in 1921.

How do you get there? The metro is easiest — Grands Boulevards station, on lines 8 and 9, sits almost at the door.

Can you visit without a ticket to a show? No — it's an active theatre rather than a heritage site open for touring, so entry requires a ticket to a scheduled performance.