Théatre Lepic

Théâtre Lepic is a small theatre venue tucked into the heart of Montmartre in Paris, at 1 avenue Junot in the 18th arrondissement, just steps from the Moulin de la Galette.

How to get there?

Because the theatre sits partway up the Montmartre hill, reaching it involves a short uphill walk. The easiest option is the metro: line 12 stops at Lamarck-Caulaincourt or Abbesses, both within walking distance, or you can take line 2 to Blanche and approach from the Moulin Rouge side. Buses serve the area too — line 40 stops at Moulin de la Galette, while line 80 stops at Square Caulaincourt. From Lamarck-Caulaincourt, it's a short but noticeably steep climb straight up to the entrance. Drivers should note that the Montmartre hill is completely closed to cars on Sundays, so it's more practical to park at one of the nearby garages (on rue Dancourt or rue Custine, for instance) and walk the last stretch.

What will you see?

Before it became a theatre, the building served as a mill-turned-cabaret known as Radet. It opened in its theatrical form in 1954 as the Théâtre du Tertre, founded by writer Georges Charaire and stage director Pierre Sonnier with backing from Eugène Ionesco himself. A thorough rebuild in the 1970s reshaped both the interior and the facade, giving the venue much of the look it still has today. The auditorium seats around 150 people, keeping every performance intimate and close-up. The current programme mixes contemporary comedies and dramas with shows aimed at younger audiences and families, making it a refreshing alternative to Paris's larger, more tourist-oriented stages.

From film set to stage

The building's history goes beyond theatre. In 1983, filmmaker Claude Lelouch bought it, renamed it Ciné XIII, and rebuilt the interior to serve as a set for his film "Edith et Marcel." It operated under that name for decades until 2018, when Lelouch's daughter, Salomé Lelouch, bought the venue from her father and renamed it once more — this time after the nearby and well-known rue Lepic, giving it its current identity.

When to visit?

Théâtre Lepic runs throughout the theatrical season, so a visit can be planned in almost any month outside the usual summer break observed by Paris's smaller venues. Look out for the annual festival "Mises en capsules," which showcases a lineup of short, thirty-minute plays — a good way to see several different productions in a single evening. Given the modest size of the auditorium, booking ahead is worthwhile for popular shows, especially on weekends.

Frequently asked questions

What was the theatre called before it became Théâtre Lepic? The building was originally a mill-cabaret called Radet, then the Théâtre du Tertre from 1954, and Ciné XIII from 1983 to 2018.

Where does the name Théâtre Lepic come from? It's named after the nearby rue Lepic and was adopted in 2018 by Salomé Lelouch, who took over the venue that year.

How many seats does the theatre have? The intimate auditorium holds about 150 spectators.

Which metro line is best for reaching the theatre? Line 12 to Lamarck-Caulaincourt or Abbesses is the most convenient option, with line 2 to Blanche as an alternative.