Théâtre Le Temple

Théâtre Le Temple is a performance venue in Paris, known today as the Apollo Théâtre, standing on rue du Faubourg-du-Temple in the 11th arrondissement, just off Place de la République.

How do you get there?

The venue sits on rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, a street running from Place de la République — one of the largest and best-connected squares on the Right Bank. The setting is thoroughly urban, surrounded by cafés, shops and other performance halls, making it an easy stop before or after an evening out in the neighborhood.

What can you see at Théâtre Le Temple?

The building holds four halls, hosting between eight and ten different shows every day. Programming leans toward crowd-pleasing theater: comedies, one-man and one-woman shows, and productions aimed at younger audiences. The venue has a track record of launching comedic talent that later became nationally known, including the duo Omar et Fred, Clémentine Célarié, Jean-Luc Lemoine, Tomer Sisley and Audrey Lamy. For visitors, that means a chance to catch performers before they hit the bigger stages and television.

What's the history behind the building?

The site's story goes back to the late 18th century. In 1782, Philip Astley, a former British cavalry officer, founded the Amphithéâtre anglais here together with his associate Antonio Franconi — the first permanent circus in Paris. The venue hosted circus performances for decades until a fire in 1922 brought that chapter to a close. Afterward, it was converted into a café-concert, the popular format of the era that combined stage acts with table service. The name Théâtre le Temple stuck for decades, until December 2014, when the hall was rebranded Apollo Théâtre and shifted its programming toward comedy and entertainment theater.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the four halls run a rotating daily program all year round, there's no single "best" season to come — the lineup changes from week to week. It's worth checking the current schedule before your trip, especially if you're after a specific show or performer. An evening performance pairs naturally with a stroll around nearby Place de la République and its surrounding boulevards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Théâtre Le Temple the same venue as Apollo Théâtre? Yes. Since December 2014 the venue has operated as Apollo Théâtre, but for years before that it went by Théâtre le Temple — same building, same address on rue du Faubourg-du-Temple.

How many halls does the venue have? Four halls, together hosting eight to ten shows a day.

Which performers are associated with this venue? The stage helped build recognition for names such as Omar et Fred, Clémentine Célarié, Jean-Luc Lemoine, Tomer Sisley and Audrey Lamy.

What's the story behind the site and its name? It dates back to 1782, when Philip Astley and Antonio Franconi founded the first permanent circus in Paris here, the Amphithéâtre anglais. After a fire in 1922 ended the circus era, the site became a café-concert and later evolved into the theater known today.