La Gaîté Lyrique: a pioneering cultural space in Paris

Good news for lovers ofexhibitions, concerts and other cultural events... La Gaîté Lyrique awaits you to fill up on culture, with a great program. This is an opportunity for us to discover or rediscover the programming of this unique art center in the capital.

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Formerly the Théâtre de la Gaîté, this fine establishment, now a cultural center, awaits you with ever more novelties, a veritable institution dedicated to contemporary art in the broadest sense of the term. The theater was founded in 1759 by Jean-Baptiste Nicolet, who set up a show on the Boulevard du Temple in the tradition of the Théâtre de la Foire. The show drew large crowds, despite complaints from the Comédie italienne, which was protected by privilege.

It was in 1772 that Nicolet's theater took the name "Gaîté", first earning the royal title of Théâtre des Grands Danseurs du Roi, then in 1789 Théâtre de la Gaîté et des Grands Danseurs. The establishment became the Théâtre de la Gaîté in 1792, then evolved over the centuries into an operetta theater, and even an amusement park, until 1991, after several closures. In 2011, the establishment became the cultural center it is today, rising from the ashes!

In terms of programming, there's plenty more to come at La Gaîté Lyrique in the months ahead. So, shall we drop in for a visit, folks?

Pulse: our photos of the immersive sound and light exhibition at Gaité Lyrique
From December 12, 2024 to July 13, 2025, La Gaité Lyrique in Paris presents Pulse, a new sound and light installation by 1024 Architecture. Immerse yourself in a universe where light becomes living matter, and interact with multisensory works for a unique experience combining art, sound and technology. [Read more]

Effractions: the free festival of contemporary literature at the Gaîté Lyrique
From February 12 to 16, 2025, the 6th edition of the Effractions festival of contemporary literature moves to the Gaité Lyrique, to question the links between reality and fiction, during meetings and workshops. [Read more]

Trans*galactique: our photos of the exhibition celebrating trans identities at Gaité Lyrique
The TRANS*GALACTIQUE exhibition awaits you at La Gaîté Lyrique from October 18, 2024 to February 9, 2025. A visual exploration celebrating trans and queer identities and questioning notions of gender, identity and resistance in a rapidly changing world. [Read more]