Théâtre du Chêne noir

Théâtre du Chêne Noir is an independent theatre in the historic heart of Avignon, housed since 1971 in a former deconsecrated chapel just steps from the Palais des Papes.

How do you get there?

The theatre stands at 8 bis rue Sainte-Catherine, inside Avignon's walled old town, within easy walking distance of the ramparts and the city's main landmarks. Like most stages tucked into the medieval core, it sits on a narrow street with no dedicated parking, so the simplest approach is on foot from the centre, or by leaving a car at one of the car parks along the ramparts and continuing on foot from there. Travellers arriving by train can reach it from Avignon Centre station in roughly fifteen minutes on foot through the old town.

What will you see?

The Chêne Noir was founded in 1971 by director and actor Gérard Gelas, who converted the disused Sainte-Catherine chapel into a stage for theatre and music together with his company. The building itself carries a layered past — before becoming a theatre it had been linked to three cardinals and had served in turn as a private hospital and as a convent. Today, beneath the Gothic pointed arch of the former apse, visitors can experience the hall's distinctive acoustics, a feature that has long drawn artists looking for an unconventional performance space.

Over the decades the venue expanded into three separate spaces. The main hall, first named after Antonin Artaud, was renamed Salle Léo Ferré in 1993. A second, smaller room — the Salle John Coltrane — opened in 1985, and a third space, the open-air Cour Antonin Artaud, was added in 1995. This layout lets the theatre run several productions side by side and host a wide-ranging programme spanning drama, music and more experimental work.

When should you visit?

The Chêne Noir operates year-round, with a regular season of premieres and theatre workshops, but its busiest stretch falls in July, when Avignon comes alive for its festival season. The theatre is one of the well-known venues of the Avignon Off, the fringe circuit that runs alongside the official Festival d'Avignon, and its programme is at its richest during those weeks, featuring both established French performers and international companies. Visitors planning a trip outside festival season should check the current listings, since the theatre also regularly stages shows in autumn and winter.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the Théâtre du Chêne Noir? It was founded in 1971 by director Gérard Gelas and his company, who turned the disused Sainte-Catherine chapel into a theatre.

What was the building used for before it became a theatre? It is a former deconsecrated chapel that had been linked to three cardinals and had also served as a private hospital and a convent.

How many performance spaces does the theatre have? Three: the main Salle Léo Ferré (named after Antonin Artaud until 1993), the smaller Salle John Coltrane (since 1985), and the open-air Cour Antonin Artaud (since 1995).

When is the best time to visit? The programme is richest in July during the Avignon Off festival, though the theatre runs a full season throughout the year.