UGC Normandie, Historic movie theater on Champs-Élysées, Paris, France
UGC Normandie is a classified monument theater located at 116bis Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris' 8th arrondissement. The building originally featured one large auditorium but was restructured in 1969 to include multiple smaller screening rooms.
The theater was built in 1937 by architect Léonard Rosenthal as a grand single-auditorium venue. Its 1969 renovation marked the transition from a traditional cinema to a modern multiplex format.
For decades, this was a gathering place where Parisians came to watch films on the grand screen, hosting premiere events and showing both French films and international releases. It represented cinema as a central part of public life along the avenue.
The location sits directly on the Champs-Élysées, one of Paris' main streets, making it easily accessible on foot. Following a 2019 renovation, the facility was upgraded with modern equipment, though it ceased operations in 2024.
The theater served as a filming location for scenes in Jean-Pierre Melville's classic 'Le Samouraï', featuring actor Alain Delon navigating the building during a crucial escape sequence. This appearance in a landmark French film gave the cinema a special place in cinema history.
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