Théâtre Tête d'or

Théâtre Tête d'Or is a private theatre venue in Lyon, located on avenue Maréchal-de-Saxe in the city's 3rd arrondissement, a short distance from the Tête d'Or park that gave it its name. The venue carries on Lyon's tradition of entertainment-focused stage productions, mixing comedy with shows aimed at younger audiences.

What can you see at Théâtre Tête d'Or?

The programming centres on comedies, light-hearted productions and family-oriented shows, often aimed at children and audiences looking for undemanding entertainment rather than heavy drama. The theatre has operated from its current location since 2001, occupying the former "La Cigale" hall, a building dating back to 1925. Despite its understated, functional facade, the venue has therefore been part of Lyon's urban fabric for nearly a century, and today's theatre continues that entertainment-hall tradition under a new name.

Inside there is a single main auditorium, sized for intimate to mid-scale productions — comedies, one-man shows, holiday-season performances and seasonal children's programmes. Compared to Lyon's larger institutional stages, this is a more intimate setting, which keeps the audience close to the performers.

How do you get to Théâtre Tête d'Or?

The easiest way is by metro — Line A, Foch station, followed by a short walk to the theatre. Vélo'v bike-share docks are also available nearby, making the venue easy to reach by bicycle. The address is 60 avenue Maréchal-de-Saxe, 69003 Lyon, in a quiet residential part of the 3rd arrondissement close to the edge of Tête d'Or park (the park itself is a separate site, a further short walk away, despite sharing the name).

When should you visit, and how do you book tickets?

The box office is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, and Saturday, 2pm to 6pm; phone reservations are taken during the same hours. The programme changes seasonally, so it's worth checking the current schedule on the theatre's website before visiting — children's shows tend to cluster around school holidays and festive periods, while comedies and evening shows for adult audiences run throughout the season.

Given the venue's intimate size, booking ahead is advisable, especially for popular comedy titles and holiday-season shows, which tend to sell out quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Is Théâtre Tête d'Or the same as the Guignol theatre in Tête d'Or park? No. These are two separate venues that happen to share part of their name. Théâtre Tête d'Or is a private theatre on avenue Maréchal-de-Saxe, while the Théâtre Guignol is physically located inside Tête d'Or park and has staged traditional puppet shows for children since 1948. It's worth keeping the two apart when planning a visit, since they have entirely different programmes and locations.

What's the fastest way to reach the theatre by public transport? Take metro Line A to Foch station, then walk a few minutes. This is the quickest route from central Lyon.

Does the theatre put on shows for children? Yes, the programme regularly includes family productions and shows for younger audiences, particularly during school holidays and festive periods.

How do you book tickets? Tickets can be booked by phone during box office hours (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 2pm–6pm) or through the theatre's official website, where the current programme is published.