International Visual Theatre, Sign language theatre in Pigalle, Paris, France
The International Visual Theatre is a roughly 180-seat theatre on Cité Chaptal, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It stages productions performed entirely in French Sign Language, relying on visual storytelling and physical movement rather than spoken words.
The company was founded in 1976 as the first professional theatre group to employ deaf actors in France. It later moved to a building on Cité Chaptal that had previously housed the famous Grand Guignol theatre.
The International Visual Theatre welcomes both deaf and hearing audiences to share the same performance space. For many visitors, it is the first time they watch a full show told entirely through body and hand movement.
The theatre sits on a quiet dead-end street in the 9th arrondissement, within walking distance of the Metro stations Blanche, Saint-Georges, and Pigalle. The entrance is step-free, making it easy to access for visitors with different needs.
Alongside its stage productions, the venue runs a publishing house and a training center for sign language. This makes it one of the few places in France where performing, teaching, and publishing all happen under one roof.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
