Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Porte-Saint-Martin theatre was built in just two months in 1781 by architect Nicolas Lenoir to replace the hall of the Royal Academy of Music, destroyed by a fire at the Palais-Royal. Inaugurated on October 27, 1781 with Adèle de Ponthieu, a lyrical tragedy of Jean-Paul-André Razins de Saint-Marc, it became a central place for opera until 1792, when the troupe returned to the new hall of Rue de Richelieu. The hall was then used for political meetings during the Revolution, before being sold as a national good in 1799.

Re-opened in 1802 under the name of "theatre de la Porte-Saint-Martin", he specialized in melodramas, comedy and ballet, with works such as La Pie voleuse (1814) or Les Petites Danaïdes. The theatre experienced a golden age under the direction of Crosnier and Harel, welcoming the romantic dramas of Alexander Dumas (Antony, La Tour de Nesle), Victor Hugo (Marion de Lorme, Lucrece Borgia), and George Sand. Frédérick Lemaître, Marie Dorval and Sarah Bernhardt marked history with their interpretations.

Fired in 1871 during the Paris Commune, the theatre was rebuilt by architect Oscar de la Chardonnière and reopened in 1873 with Marie Tudor de Victor Hugo. In the 20th century, he continued to host notable plays such as Cyrano de Bergerac (1897) by Edmond Rostand, musicals (Hair 1969), and contemporary stagings (Molière, Shakespeare). Ranked a historic monument in 1992, it remains a symbol of Parisian theatre, combining architectural heritage and scenic innovation.

The façade, decorated with sculptures by Jacques-Hyacinthe Chevalier representing Tragedy, Drama and Comedy, reflects his artistic identity. The theatre was also a creative venue for directors such as Robert Hossein (Romeo and Juliette 1973) and Roman Polanski (Master Class 1996). Today, it offers a varied repertoire, from classics to modern shows, while preserving its historical heritage.

Architecturally, the current building, rebuilt after 1871, blends 19th-century elements with 20th-century developments. The room, with its sumptuous decor and spacious scene, was designed to accommodate ambitious productions. The theatre has been run since 1949 by the Regnier family, and then by associations such as the " Théâtres Parisiens Associés" (since 2010), ensuring its cultural sustainability.

Highlights include the creation of Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, the performances of Sarah Bernhardt, and the adaptations of novels such as Les Misérables (1878). The theatre also hosted magazines and musicals, such as Hair in 1969, illustrating his eclecticism. Its inscription as a historical monument in 1992 protected its architecture and its role in the history of the show living in France.

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