Folies Bergère

Folies Bergère is a performance hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris with a distinct Art Deco facade. The auditorium seats around 1,700 people and keeps its historic interior layout with several tiers and an orchestra pit.

The stage opened in 1869 in a building that had previously housed a bedding store, following the model of London's Alhambra variety theater. By the late 19th century, the venue evolved into a center for new forms of revue and cabaret performance.

The name comes from the Bergère walkway that once crossed the site, recalling a family who lived nearby. Today, visitors can still see the entrance area with its curved lines typical of the period after World War I.

The theater hall is reached through a wide entrance with a ramp, so wheelchair users face no major obstacles. Reservations can be made on weekdays through a toll-free phone line that connects directly to the box office.

Édouard Manet painted his famous work 'A Bar at the Folies Bergère' in 1881, showing the interior bar and its mirror reflection. The painting now hangs in the Courtauld Gallery in London, offering a window into the social life of late 19th-century Paris.

Location: 9th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1869

Official opening: May 2, 1869

Architectural style: Art Deco

Capacity: 1679

Website: http://foliesbergere.com

GPS coordinates: 48.87417,2.34500

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:53