The Comédie-Française, a theatrical institution in Paris

Today, the Comédie-Francaise is the only French theater entitled to its own permanent troupe of actors, called La Troupe de la Comédie-Française. Located on Place Colette in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, the Comédie-Française is at the heart of the capital.

The Troupe de la Comédie-Française was founded in 1680 by the union of two troupes, including that of Molière, who had died eight years earlier. The Troupe de la Comédie-Française was also known as La Maison de Molière.

The Comédie-Francaise has three halls. The famous Salle Richelieu, seating 862, became the Comédie-Française's main auditorium in 1799. It offers a dozen varied shows, alternating from July to September. A special feature of the Salle Richelieu is that all plays performed there must first be submitted to the Comité de lecture before they can be included in the Comédie-Francaise repertoire, which now numbers over 3,000 plays. The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, created in 1993, offers at least four classical or contemporary creations, programmed from September to July. Finally, the third venue, called the Studio-théâtre and created in 1996, presents shorter, more diversified shows from Wednesday to Sunday at 6.30pm, allowing actors to follow up with a show at 8.30pm in the Salle Richelieu .

Exhibitions at the Comédie-Française also change from month to month.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of January 27 - February 2, 2025 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings

As you can see, the Comédie-Française is the theater to visit at least once in your life in Paris, because of its history and the shows and exhibitions it hosts.

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Thursday's wardrobe: the Comédie Française is selling its old costumes in Paris!
The Comédie-Française is offering a rare opportunity to theater and fashion history enthusiasts: a weekly sale of costumes from its reserves. Every Thursday at 12 noon, from January 30 2025 until stocks run out, the prestigious institution will unveil exceptional pieces worn on stage by the Troupe's artists. You too can indulge in these second-hand treasures, steeped in the history of French theater! [Read more]

Macbeth: Shakespeare's famous tragedy at the Comédie-Française
Silvia Costa's Macbeth, created in March 2024, returns to the Comédie-Francaise. In the legendary Salle Richelieu, the tragedy adapted from Shakespeare's text can be seen from January 24 to May 11, 2025. [Read more]