Théâtre Édouard VII

Théâtre Édouard VII is a historic Parisian theatre tucked onto a quiet square between the Madeleine and the Palais Garnier, in the city's 9th arrondissement. It's the kind of venue easy to walk past on a busy boulevard, yet it carries a surprisingly rich story tied to Anglo-French cultural exchange.

How do you get there?

The theatre sits right in the heart of tourist Paris, in the 9th arrondissement, sandwiched between two well-known landmarks — the Madeleine church and the Palais Garnier opera house. That makes it easy to reach for most visitors staying near central Paris: head toward Place de la Madeleine or the Opéra, and the theatre is only a short walk away. The square in front of the building, home to a statue of King Edward VII, dates back to 1911 and makes for a pleasant pause between sightseeing stops in the area.

What will you see?

The theatre's name is no coincidence. It honours the British king Edward VII, nicknamed "the most Parisian of all Kings" for his evident fondness for French culture and Parisian life. Interestingly, the building didn't start out as a stage at all — it originally opened as a cinema before later becoming a theatre.

Its golden era came in the first half of the 20th century, under the direction of Sacha Guitry, one of the most colourful figures of French theatre and cinema at the time. Under his leadership, Théâtre Édouard VII became something of a symbol of cultural closeness between France and Britain: this was where Parisian audiences could discover and enjoy English plays performed on a French stage. The theatre's full name today — Théâtre Édouard VII – Sacha Guitry — still reflects how central his legacy is to the venue.

The square outside, anchored by the statue of the English monarch, gives this corner of Paris a distinctive character of its own — a rare example of a Parisian public space dedicated to the memory of a foreign king, which makes it a small curiosity for anyone interested in the city's history while wandering nearby.

When should you visit?

The theatre operates year-round, with its programme changing by season, so it's worth checking the current listings ahead of time if you have a specific show in mind. The surrounding neighbourhood, between the Madeleine and the Opéra, is pleasant to explore in any season, though spring and autumn make for more comfortable strolls through this part of the 9th arrondissement, away from the peak summer crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the theatre's name come from? It was named after the British king Edward VII, known for his particular love of French culture and often called "the most Parisian of all Kings."

Was the building always a theatre? No — it originally opened as a cinema and only later became a theatre venue.

What role did Sacha Guitry play? Under his direction, in the first half of the 20th century, the theatre became an important venue for cultural exchange between France and Britain, bringing English plays to Parisian audiences.

Where exactly is the theatre located? In Paris's 9th arrondissement, on a square with a statue of Edward VII, between the Madeleine church and the Palais Garnier opera house.