Théâtre de la Vieille-Grille, Small independent theatre in 5th arrondissement, France.
The Théâtre de la Vieille-Grille is a small theatre housed in a former grocery store and wine cellar near Paris's Grand Mosque. This converted space accommodated roughly 50 spectators and occupied a tucked-away side street in the neighborhood.
The venue was founded in 1960 by Maurice Alezra and Béatrice Moulin, transforming a former commercial space into a performance site. It operated as an independent theatre until 2019, when it ceased its theatrical programming.
The space served as a launching point for performers who would later achieve widespread recognition, with artists like Jacques Higelin and Coluche using its intimate setting to hone their craft in their early careers.
The small space sits on a quiet side street, so allow extra time to find it while exploring the area. Today the location operates as a literary cafe, offering a different experience than its theatrical past if you want to connect with its cultural heritage.
After closing as a theatre in 2019, the space was transformed into a literary cafe called l'Ours et la Vieille Grille. This new chapter preserved the location's connection to artistic and intellectual pursuits while giving it a second life.
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