Théâtre Rive Gauche

Théâtre Rive Gauche is a theatre tucked away at 6, rue de la Gaîté, in Paris's 14th arrondissement, on the Left Bank near Montparnasse.

Where is the Théâtre Rive Gauche?

The theatre sits on rue de la Gaîté, a short street in the 14th arrondissement just a few minutes' walk from Montparnasse. It's one of those Paris streets where several small stages cluster within a block or two of each other, giving the area a distinctly theatrical feel — marquees, posters, and queues outside doorways are part of the everyday scenery. The venue's coordinates are 48.8408, 2.3243, which makes it easy to pin down on a map.

What should you know about the venue itself?

Théâtre Rive Gauche belongs to the Edgar Entertainment Society, the same group that also runs the Edgar Café and the Théâtre Edgar, located at 58 boulevard Edgar-Quinet in the same arrondissement. Together, the three venues form a kind of small theatrical cluster in this corner of Paris — if the programme at one appeals to you, it's worth checking what's playing at the others.

The auditorium holds 400 seats, putting it in the mid-size category: small enough that every seat keeps you close to the stage, yet large enough to sustain a regular, varied programme. The theatre focuses on contemporary productions — current plays, comedies, and crowd-pleasing shows aimed at audiences looking for something fresh rather than traditional classical repertoire.

How do you get there?

Rue de la Gaîté sits right next to the Montparnasse hub, one of the Left Bank's major transport junctions, which in practice means an easy walk or a short metro ride from hotels and the station in the area. The street itself takes on a lively, pedestrian feel in the evenings, so it's worth allowing extra time if you plan to stroll the neighbourhood before curtain.

When should you visit?

Because the theatre runs contemporary shows that are often on a limited engagement, it's worth checking the current programme and performance times before your visit — the schedule changes seasonally. With only 400 seats, tickets for popular titles can sell out faster than at Paris's larger houses, so booking ahead is a sensible move, especially for weekend performances.

Frequently asked questions

How many seats does the Théâtre Rive Gauche have? The auditorium has 400 seats.

Who owns the theatre? It's owned by the Edgar Entertainment Society, which also runs the Edgar Café and the Théâtre Edgar on boulevard Edgar-Quinet.

Where exactly is it located? At 6, rue de la Gaîté, in Paris's 14th arrondissement, close to Montparnasse.

What kind of programme can you expect? The theatre focuses on contemporary productions — current plays and crowd-pleasing shows rather than traditional classical repertoire.