Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Théâtre de l'Athnée-Louis-Jouvet, located square of the Opéra-Louis-Jouvet in Paris, finds its origins in a first room inaugurated in 1864 under the name of Athénée-Musical, dedicated to concerts. Renowned several times (Théâtre Saint-Germain, Cluny, Second-Athenée), it became in 1876 the Athénée-Comique under the direction of actor Montrouge. Closed in 1883, its façade was dismantled and resettled in 1896 in front of a new hall, the Comédie-Parisienne, then renamed Athénée-Comique. This project, led by architect Paul Casimir Fouquiau, merges the heritage of the place with an intimate aesthetic.

In 1906, after restoration work, the theatre took its present name: Théâtre de l'Athenée. Ranked a historic monument in 1995, it was deeply marked by Louis Jouvet, who led it from 1934 to 1951. Jouvet defends contemporary creation (Jean Giraudoux) and classics (Molière, Corneille), exploiting the specificities of the Italian theatre to strengthen the link between stage and spectators. His scenographic innovation, such as the "open walls" of the Women's School (1936), illustrates this approach.

The theatre went through transition periods after Jouvet's death, with directors such as Françoise Grammont (1956) and Pierre Bergé (1977-1981), who opened a test room, Christian-Bérard. In 1982, he became a public theatre under the supervision of the State. Renovated in 1996 for its centenary, it preserves the remains of the Eten-Théâtre (1883), an ancient fairytale place inspired by India, whose ceiling remains decorated under the dome.

In the 21st century, the theatre remained a place of creation, welcoming directors such as Peter Brook or Jean Vilar. In 2021, Olivier Poubelle took the lead, perpetuating his laborantine spirit and his openness to the public. Writers such as Guy de Maupassant refer to it in their works (Our Heart, Strong as Death), highlighting its cultural anchor.

The history of the place is also marked by figures such as Charlotte Delbo, secretary of Jouvet, or artists such as Maria Casarès and Jeanne Moreau. The successive renovations (1996) preserved its stage mechanics and gold decoration, while modernizing its infrastructure (sound, lighting, orchestra pit).

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