There are certain places in Paris which, at the mere mention of their name, arouse admiration and fascination. In 2023, the Olympia, the legendary concert hall on Boulevard des Capucines, celebrates its 130th anniversary. The Olympia was inaugurated on April 12, 1893, making it the oldest music hall in Paris still in operation today.
Although fairground attractions were offered in its early days, song soon made its appearance, notably through music-hall revues with Mistinguett and Yvonne Printemps between 1911 and 1914. After the First World War, when the venue was closed, the Olympia played host to a number of chanson stars of the day, including Fréhel, Marie Dubas and Lucienne Boyer.
Unfortunately, as the years went by, the popularity of the venue waned, and in 1929 it was transformed into a cinema. The venue was renamed Olympia - Théâtre Jacques Haïck until 1954. This was the year the Olympia was reborn as a music hall, thanks to the arrival of Bruno Coquatrix as director of the Parisian venue. Work was also carried out on the interior and the hall, to provide audiences with a magnificent new venue.
The new Olympia opened on February 5, 1954. A date that marked the return of chanson to the Olympia. And success followed. In the 1950s and 1960s, the greatest artists of the day took to the stage, including Georges Brassens (1954), Jacques Brel (1964, 1966...), Léo Ferré (1955, 1972), Édith Piaf ( 1955, 1961...), Juliette Gréco (1955, 1966...), Barbara (1969, 1978...)... International artists were also present, including Louis Armstrong (1962), Ella Fitzgerald (1963), Billie Holiday (1958), Sidney Bechet (1955, 1958...), and later The Beatles (1964) and The Rolling Stones (1964).
One of the musical highlights of the Olympia's 130 years is Edith Piaf. In 1961, when she was ill, she performed one of her most beautiful songs there, " Non, je ne regrette rien ", and for three months held two shows a night!
Johnny Hallyday also created euphoria when he first performed there in 1961. The artist returned on numerous occasions, in 1962, in 1964 for 57 performances, in 1965, in 1966 for a Musicorama, and again in 1967, alongside Sylvie Vartan.
Another highlight, another year: one evening in 1964, Jacques Brel performed " Amsterdam " for the first time. It was a triumph, and his stage performance remains engraved in the memories of many. Jacques Brel 's love affair with the Olympia led to his official farewell concert there in October 1966.
While the songs and concerts have left their mark on the history of theOlympia, so have the shows. For many years now, comedians have also taken to the stage, including Coluche, Guy Bedos, Florence Foresti and Dany Boon.
And there's more to come from this legendary venue. The Olympia still has many surprises in store for us in the months and years to come.
Doully at the Olympia: trashy, self-mocking stand-up
Doully takes over the Olympia for a show mixing caustic humor and crazy life stories. A stand-up show that promises to be raw and sincere, to be discovered on May 22, 2025. [Read more]
A Day To Remember in concert at the Olympia, Paris, May 2025
A Day To Remember will be bringing alternative rock and metalcore to Paris this spring! The American band, led by Jeremy Mckinnon, has announced a European tour that includes a stop at the Olympia on Friday, May 30, 2025. [Read more]
Solann: from the Olympia to the Zénith, upcoming concert dates in Paris
Solann, the French singer-songwriter nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award, is preparing to take over a number of venues in France, to defend live her first opus entitled "Si on sombre ce sera beau". In Paris, Solann will perform at the legendary Olympia on Wednesday April 9, 2025 (sold out), then at the Zénith de La Villette on Wednesday March 25, 2026. [Read more]
Patti Smith in concert at the Olympia in Paris in October 2025
Attention Patti Smith fans! This year, the priestess of punk celebrates the 50th anniversary of her legendary album "Horses". To mark the occasion, the American artist is on a European tour and plans to invade the beautiful Olympia hall in Paris on Monday October 20 and Tuesday October 21, 2025, for two exceptional concerts surrounded by her loyal band. [Read more]
Zaz in concert at the Olympia in Paris in December 2025
Zaz announces her return to the stage with a one-off concert scheduled for the legendary Parisian venue Olympia on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. During this European tour, the artist will present her new 6th album live. [Read more]
Igorrr in concert at the Olympia in Paris in October 2025
Igorrr announces a new European tour, stopping off in Paris this autumn! Mark your calendars: join Gautier Serre's metal project in concert at the Olympia on Friday, October 17, 2025. Opening for Igorrr are Master Boot Record and Imperial Triumphant. [Read more]
Lord Huron in concert at L'Olympia in September 2025
Lord Huron makes a stop at the Olympia on Saturday, September 13, 2025, for a unique concert in France. The American indie/folk band promises an evening as mythical as the venue itself! Tickets open this Tuesday, January 28 at 10am. [Read more]
Jyeuhair: from La Cigale to L'Olympia, upcoming concert dates in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
You may have discovered him in season 3 of the Nouvelle École TV show, and this is your chance to see him live again. The Franco-Malagasy rapper Jyeuhair is back in Paris to perform. From the Cigale to the Olympia, here are the next dates to discover him in concert. [Read more]
Florent Pagny in concert at the Olympia in Paris in June and July 2026
Florent Pagny fans can smile! The famous French singer has announced his return to the stage, with no fewer than 20 concerts scheduled in Paris in 2026. Join us at the Olympia from Tuesday June 16 to Sunday July 19, 2026, for a live performance of Florent Pagny's greatest hits. [Read more]
Zaho de Sagazan in concert at the Olympia in Paris in September 2025
After two sold-out Olympia concerts in just a few minutes, Zaho de Sagazan announces her return to the legendary Paris venue in 2025. To round off her extensive French tour in style, the artist plans to perform 10 exceptional dates at the Olympia from September 3 to 16, 2025. [Read more]
Jean-Paul Rouve: his show L'air de rien, a tribute to French chanson
French actor Jean-Paul Rouve has announced a new show, L'air de rien, to be presented at L'Olympia on October 13 and 14, 2025. The show will be a cross between literature and music, with the actor paying homage to French chanson by focusing on its words. [Read more]
The Jeff Panacloc Company: the ventriloquist and his puppet Jean-Marc make their comeback
Jeff Panacloc and his puppet Jean-Marc are back with their show The Jeff Panacloc Company... to get you through job interviews! After his Adventure show at the Accor Arena, Jeff Panacloc returns to the Olympia on January 10 and 11, 2026. [Read more]
The Limiñanas in concert at the Olympia, Paris, April 2025
Lionel and Marie from The Limiñanas announce their return to the stage with a European tour that includes a stop in Paris next spring. Mark your calendars: catch the famous French rock band in the beautiful Olympia concert hall on Thursday, April 10, 2025. [Read more]
Franjo: upcoming Paris dates
French comedian Franjo will be at the République in Paris until February 27, 2025, as well as at the Olympia for a one-off show on April 12, 2025. [Read more]
Kim Wilde in concert at the Olympia in Paris in April 2026
New Kim Wilde concert in Paris! The British pop artist has announced her return to the capital for a tour that will honor her new opus "Closer". In the capital, she heads for the legendary Olympia concert hall on Tuesday April 21, 2026. [Read more]
Rise of the Northstar in concert at the Olympia, Paris, November 2025
Metal music is set to resound at Olympia in autumn 2025! The band Rise of the Northstar, spearhead of the French metal crossover scene, has announced a unique concert at the legendary Paris venue. Join us on Saturday, November 22, 2025, for what promises to be a supercharged musical experience! [Read more]
Behemoth and Satyricon in concert at the Olympia, Paris, April 2025
A metal event at Olympia in 2025! The famous Parisian venue opens its doors to three leading death and black metal bands: Poland's Behemoth, Norway's Satyricon and Greece's Rotting Christ. The evening promises to be a wild one, to be experienced on Friday April 11, 2025. [Read more]
Alain Souchon, accompanied by Ours and Pierre Souchon, in concert at the Olympia in 2025
Alain Souchon adds three new Paris dates to his tour! Join Alain Souchon and his sons, Ours and Pierre Souchon, at the legendary Olympia concert hall on Saturday June 7, Sunday June 8 and Monday June 9, 2025. [Read more]
Alizée in concert at the Olympia in Paris in September 2025
Alizée announces her return to the Paris stage to celebrate 25 years in the music business! The singer of "Moi... Lolita" at the Olympia on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Ticket sales will open in September. We tell you all about it. [Read more]
Helldebert, alias Aldebert, in concert at the Olympia in Paris in April 2025
If you've heard of Aldebert, get ready to discover his evil twin, Helldebert! The famous singer, a favorite of children and their parents, has announced a nationwide tour, with several Parisian concerts scheduled at the Olympia on Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6, 2025, to present live his latest musical project, "Enfantillages 666". [Read more]
Mireille Mathieu in concert at the Olympia in Paris in October 2025
Mireille Mathieu announces her return to the stage to celebrate 60 years in the music business, with no less than three Parisian concerts scheduled at the legendary Olympia concert hall on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2025. [Read more]
Location
L'Olympia
28 Boulevard des Capucines
75009 Paris 9
Official website
www.olympiahall.com
