Théâtre de la Gaîté Montparnasse, a former café-concert venue

The Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse, located at 26 rue de la Gaité, is a stone's throw from the Gare Montparnasse train station . Its distinctive red façade is easy to spot on the busy street.

This historic theater owes its creation toNapoleon III's Universal Exhibition of 1867. The aim of the exhibition was to promote the France of the Third Republic to the whole world, bringing together over 50,000 exhibitors and welcoming the Russian Tsar, the Emperor of Japan and the German Kaiser. A temporary theater was created for the occasion. The following year, following the destruction of the theater, limonadier François Jamin rebuilt a new one, using materials from the old theater. The Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse was born in 1868.

First operated as a café-concert until the end of the Second World War, great artists such as Polin, Dorville and Yvette Guilbert performed here. Later transformed into an avant-garde theater, it was finally bought and renovated by Michel Fagadau in 1955. It was listed as aHistoric Monument on April 3, 1984.

With its 401-seat auditorium, the theater has become an essential venue for comedy and musical shows in Paris. Despite its size, the venue manages to retain an intimate atmosphere. Since 2010, the Gaîté-Montparnasse has belonged to the Théâtres parisiens associés, an association of 50 private Parisian theaters.

A magnificent venue full of history at 26 rue de la Gaité, in Paris's 14th arrondissement.

• To be read
• This week's tips in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, December 8-14, 2025

News from the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse

Fred Radix's La Claque at La Gaîté Montparnasse: the history of theater claque
Fred Radix presents La Claque, an interactive play in which he revisits the history of the claque (applause) in theater. The show runs at the Gaîté Montparnasse from September 21, 2025 to May 26, 2026. [Read more]

Les Funambules - Elles: a vibrant musical show about women at Gaité Montparnasse
The Les Funambules collective will present Elles, a musical show about women, at the Théâtre de la Gaité Montparnasse. Running until June 12 and then from October 15, 2025, the show celebrates feminine sensitivity and energy. [Read more]

Thomas Marty unveils a new show of confidences and self-mockery at Gaité Montparnasse
Thomas Marty returns with a new show at Gaité Montparnasse from October 4, 2025 to January 16, 2026, continuing his humorous storytelling on stage after the success of Allez, la bise! [Read more]

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: a fairytale retelling at Gaité Montparnasse
The tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is reinvented on stage in a modern, musical and fairytale version. To be seen at the Théâtre de la Gaité Montparnasse until May 1, then back again from October 5, 2025. [Read more]