So this is wonderful in Paris ,even if I myself need to do it more, it has been done. The area is near the US Embassy so heavily guarded off the wonderful Avenue des Champs Elysées on one side and Avenue Gabriel on the other ; all romantic and quant, and the shows are of historical significance in a historical building and of course ,Paris makes it all worth it. This is an interesting place that I have not been for theater plays but for conferences, Let me tell you a bit more on the old Espace Pierre Cardin and new theater. This has been redone and rename the Théâtre de la Concorde of Paris !! Hope you enjoy the post as I
The Théâtre de la Concorde was inaugurated in the old Cardin space on September 17 2024 in the 8éme arrondissement of Paris, It is a space open to all and all the arts, which will put “democracy” . The beautiful part of the plays, workshops, open scenes or even debates. Here, music, dramatic arts, dance or even social subjects have their place. Rhythmized by the big themes that punctuate the news, the programs offered evolve over the months the large room Joséphine Baker can in particular accommodate 650 people for theatrical performances. But we also find there the Pierre Cardin studio dedicated to the creation, a movie theater, a podcast studio, an exhibition hall and two outdoor scenes located in the garden.
The Théâtre de la Concorde is a theatre unlike any other: a stage where art and democracy engage in dialogue. Each month, a theme sheds light on our times , populism, social justice, freedom… Shows, concerts, debates, performances: at the theater you think, create, and act together. A vibrant, engaged space, open to the world. The main Josephine Baker auditorium, the Pierre Cardin studio, and the cinema host shows, debates, and workshops. The theatre also has an exhibition hall and gardens that allow for open-air workshops and open mic nights. Each month, a thematic program unfolds in various formats (debates, performances, plays, exhibitions, interactive workshops, mock trials…). To ensure everyone can enjoy it, workshops and open mic nights are free, and shows are offered at competitive prices. A chamber music ensemble performs works from the classical repertoire once a month, free of charge, at a family-friendly time. To make music more accessible
The Théâtre de la Concorde is at 1, avenue Gabriel 8éme arrondissement and quartier Champs-Elysées, and just at corner of the Place de la Concorde. There is plenty to get here such as the metro Line 1,8,and 12 stop Concorde exit 7 Avenue Gabriel and metro lines 1 and 13 stop Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau. Also, bus lines 24, 42, 52, 72, 73, 84 and 94 arrêt/stop Place de la Concorde. Of course I have come by car too and for many other things as well my parking is underneath the Place de la Concorde and Indigo 3608 parking. I must say that bus line 73 is wonderful from a tourist point of view.
A bit of history I like on the old place tell us that the Espace Pierre-Cardin, former café des Ambassadeurs, then theater and restaurant of the Ambassadors, is a place composed of a theater, a cinema, a multipurpose room and a gallery and property of the city of Paris. The construction of the café des Ambassadeurs or Ambassadors’ café was authorized on the site of the current Pierre-Cardin space in 1772 by Father Terray, controller general of finance. This cafe owed its name to the hotels built by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel on the edge of the Place de la Concorde, hotels that were supposed to serve as accommodation for foreign ambassadors. One of them ,the USA Embassy at Avenue Gabriel. From 1897 to 1914, reviews/plays were played there. These continued after the Great War or WWI, until the Café des Ambassadeurs was demolished in 1929, and replaced by a theater built in 1931 also called Ambassadeurs and a new restaurant, bearing the same name. The first show in May 1926 coming directly from London and New York, Blackbirds by Lew Leslie and his troop, Florence Mills plays the main role. It was well done the new ambassadors the most famous night meeting of the world for the rich and the celebrities. Among the biggest French stars, who attend the show we can mention Maurice Chevalier, Sacha Guitry, Yvonne Vallée, the Dolly Sisters, Raquel Meller and even Joséphine Baker. It becomes a model for all future theater-restaurant operations that were to flourish in the 1930s. At the end of the 1928 season, the owner Sayag renovated the Ambassadors and built a larger building around the existing building, creating two equal parts of the music hall and the restaurant with a common stage. Cole Porter created La Revue des ambassadeurs, May 10, 1928. The Ambassadors ‘Conferences given by personalities from the political, diplomatic or business worlds are organized at the Ambassadors’ theater, notably on the initiative of André David, Jules Cambon, François de Menthon, Pierre-Henri Teitgen, Marie-Claude Vaillant – Coutourier. In 1938, Henri Bernstein took over the Théâtre des Ambassadeurs until his exile in June 1940 for the United States. He leaves the theater in the hands of his secretary Madame Refoulé. From 1940 to 1944, the theater was directed by the actress of Romanian origin Alice Cocéa who was criticized at the Liberation for her attitude under the Nazis occupation.
The official Théâtre de la Concorde: https://theatredelaconcorde.paris/
The Théâtre de la Concorde as part of the theaters of the city of Paris : https://www.theatredelaville-paris.com/en/lieux/theatre-de-la-concorde
The city of Paris on the Théâtre de la Concorde : https://www.paris.fr/lieux/theatre-de-la-concorde-20399
There you go folks, something unique and can include in the off the beaten path section for Paris, as so near famous places and embassies it is many times overlook by visitors. However, a magical place, with history and architecture to boot and so near the Place de la Concorde and Avenue des Champs Elyssés it is magical Paris indeed. Again, hope you enjoy the Théâtre de la Concorde of Paris as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 