What theater shows to see in Paris in May 2026? This month, Parisian stages are offering a wide range of performances, from blockbuster headliners, award-winning plays, reimagined classics, comedies to more intimate, sensitive creations to discover across the capital’s venues. Whether you’re after a weekend cultural outing, a production that’s been praised by audiences, or a family-friendly show, this guide collects the theater picks to see in Paris in May.
To help you navigate, this roundup highlights several kinds of performances: the month’s most anticipated plays, those already hailed by awards or by audiences, classics and literary adaptations, more intimate or provocative narratives, not to mention comedies and picks to explore with children or teens. A handy guide to que voir au théâtre à Paris en mai 2026, tailored to what you’re after.
This guide is regularly updated with the new plays spotted in Paris and the performances still on offer during May 2026.
WARNING: This guide is continually updated as new information comes to light
Alexis Michalik's Edmond returns to the Théâtre du Palais Royal: our review
Edmond, Alexis Michalik's third play, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais Royal in 2016, is still running at the Théâtre du Ier Arrondissement. After more than 5 Molières awards, the play returns on August 21, 2025. [Read more]
The Dead Poets Society: Revival at Théâtre Antoine
The Dead Poets Society makes its return to Théâtre Antoine with Philippe Torreton as John Keating, attracting over 350,000 spectators, starting February 13, 2026. [Read more]
Le Secret de Sherlock Holmes: the play returns to Paris at Café de la Gare
A detective comedy, The Secret of Sherlock Holmes is not an adaptation of Conan Doyle's novel, but a new play set in the world of the mythical detective, Sherlock Holmes. More specifically, the play recounts the famous meeting between Sherlock and his faithful investigator, Doctor Watson. [Read more]
Molière’s Tartuffe or the Hypocrite performed in its original version at La Grande Halle de la Villette
Tartuffe or The Hypocrite by Molière, directed by Ivo Van Hove, will be staged at La Grande Halle de la Villette from May 21 to July 11, 2026. [Read more]
Part Two: a play by Samuel Benchetrit starring Patrick Bruel at Théâtre Édouard VII
Patrick Bruel is set to return to the stage in a play by Samuel Benchetrit. Also starring Stéphane Freiss and Marine Delterme, "Deuxième partie" opens at the Théâtre Édouard VII in Paris on January 27, 2026. [Read more]
Dernier coup de ciseaux: interactive detective comedy at the Théâtre des Mathurins
Discover "Dernier coup de ciseaux," an interactive detective comedy by Sébastien Azzopardi and Sacha Danino, at the Théâtre des Mathurins until June 30, 2026. [Read more]
Call Me Walt: Intimate Portrait of Disney’s Founder Extended at the Apollo Theatre
Discover Walt Disney as you've never seen him before in the play Call Me Walt, written and directed by Julien Baptist at the Apollo Theatre in Paris. Step into the private world of the man behind the legend: the son, the brother, the husband, and the father—far more than just the creator of an empire. The production opened on October 15, 2025, and has been extended until May 16, 2026. [Read more]
The Imaginary Invalid: Molière’s Comedy-Ballet at the Porte Saint-Martin
Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid, directed by Claude Stratz, will run at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin from May 27 to July 12, 2026. [Read more]
Ados - Urbex: Olivier Solivérès' cult comedy at the Grand Point Virgule
“Adolescents - Urban Exploration,” the refreshed take on Olivier Solivérès’s show, is now playing at the Grand Point Virgule until May 31, 2026 — blending laughter and music in an engaging performance. [Read more]
Et Pendant ce Temps Simone Veille! at Comédie Bastille
And in the meantime, Simone Keeps Watch! — a show highlighting the fight for women's rights over the past century — is running at the Comédie Bastille from January 10 to June 28, 2026. [Read more]
La Promesse de l'Aube, the adaptation of Romain Gary's novel at Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
Tigran Mekhitarian's adaptation of Romain Gary's La Promesse de l'Aube opens on October 2, 2025 at Théâtre Le Contrescarpe. [Read more]
Coal in the veins: the five-Molière-winning play extended at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal
After Adieu Monsieur Haffmann and Petit coiffeur, Jean-Philippe Daguerre returns with a new theatrical creation: Du charbon dans les veines. The play, which focuses on mineworkers in the 1950s in a deeply moving narrative, won no fewer than 5 Molières and is now coming to the Théâtre du Palais-Royal! [Read more]
POTTED POTTER at the Théâtre du Gymnase: A zany, family-friendly show that reimagines the Harry Potter saga
From January 30 to May 3, 2026, catch « POTTED POTTER » at Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris: a delirious parody that condenses the seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes. Read our verdict. [Read more]
Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles at the Grand Point Virgule
Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, is on at the Grand Point Virgule through June 28, 2026, an investigation that blends the supernatural with rigorous deductive reasoning. [Read more]
The Misanthrope: A Modern Take at Théâtre Antoine
The Misanthrope by Molière, reimagined by Tigran Mekhitarian, will be performed at the Théâtre Antoine from March 18 to May 10, 2026, in a fresh and contemporary adaptation. [Read more]
Louisa & the Four Daughters March: A Musical Theater Production at Funambule Montmartre
From March 7 to May 10, 2026, the Funambule Montmartre Theatre will unveil the little-known story of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. Through an original production blending theater, song, and live piano, this musical journey explores the life of a fiercely independent woman as captivating as the heroines she created. [Read more]
Le Cid: Corneille’s Tragicomedy Takes Center Stage at the Porte Saint-Martin Theatre
The Cid by Pierre Corneille, directed by Denis Podalydès, will be staged at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin from March 26 to May 17, 2026. [Read more]
All that love can do: a powerful drama about childhood cancer at the Funambule Montmartre
Everything that love can do, a play adapted from Chloé Duperrin’s story and directed by Cécile Parichet, will be running at the Funambule Montmartre from March 2 to May 5, 2026. [Read more]
They don't deserve your tears: Remembering the Nine at La Pépinière
At La Pépinière Theater, They Don’t Deserve Your Tears tells the story of the Nine from Little Rock, opening on February 20th at 9 p.m., directed by Michel Belletante. [Read more]
Tout contre la Terre: a story of peasant love at the Comédie de Paris
From January 24, 2026, Tout contre la Terre tells the story of a young peasant couple, between love and struggle, at the Comédie de Paris. [Read more]
Napo: Napoleon to run in the 2026 election at the Comédie Bastille
At the Comédie Bastille until June 17, 2026, Napo envisions Napoleon transported to 2026, running for president in a satirical comedy. [Read more]
The whole family I adore! : a comedy starring Michel Boujenah at the Théâtre des Variétés
At the Théâtre des Variétés, the family I love features Michel Boujenah in a heartfelt family comedy about inheritance. [Read more]
La Soirée Criminelle: investigation, dinner and mystery in the heart of Paris
The Crime Night will blend interactive theatre with fine dining in a crime-themed atmosphere, running from October 15, 2025 to December 19, 2026 at La Main au Panier. An original, live, real-life-style investigation to be experienced in front of an audience. [Read more]
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]
The Château d’Orgon: A Satirical Comedy at Studio Hébertot
Satirical comedy inspired by Molière, Le Château d’Orgon explores contemporary ideologies at Studio Hébertot, from April 9 to May 31, 2026. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026
