Les Marionnettes du Champ de Mars puppet show theatre
Marionnettes or Guignols are puppet shows and the Marionettes du Champ de Mars is a puppet show theatre that still fascinates children and is located within the Champ de Mars park by the most famous landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.
About Les Marionnettes du Champ de Mars
Even though puppet shows have been going for centuries, little has changed over the years, yet they still enthral children from all over the world, especially due to their interaction with the audience where kids can shout for the characters.
Designed in a Napoleon III style, the Marionnettes du Champ de Mars is probably the most beautiful puppet theatre in Paris that is undercover in a heated hall, so it is an ideal place even for those wet days around Paris when you are at your wits end on how to keep the children happy.
There are actually over 300 different puppets and sets with classics like The Three Muskateers, Puss in Boots and Cinderella being performed, plus they have their own creations such as Treasure Island.
The theatre respects the dreams of children and those of you that are still young at heart and everyone will be in complete awe at the vibrant colours of costumes and the exquisite faces that are beautifully carved.
Access to Les Marionnettes du Champ de Mars
The Marionnettes du Champ de Mars is located within the Champ de Mars park between the Avenue Risler and the Avenue Motte Piquet in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris and if you are looking at the Eiffel Tower, then it is east of it, reasonably close to the childrens playgrounds.
Unfortunately, it is not very well signposted, but a tell tale sign is the fact that through French traditions a bell sounds prior to a performance starting. And the puppet shows are conducted at 3.15pm and 4.15pm on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday plus during school holidays, so even if you cannot find this theatre initially, you can always catch the second show of the day.
The cost of entry is only €4.50 as of 2018, but make sure you have cash with you, as this is the only means of payment, plus you will need cash for ice creams etc during the intermission. And although the shows are conducted in the French language, even young children can get the gist of what is going on and have a fun time at a very traditional puppet theatre in Paris.
Situated approximately 500 metres from the Eiffel Tower, the nearest Metro station to reach the Marionnettes de Champ de Mars is called the Ecole Militaire stop via line 8, but there are also several different buses that will get you within easy walking distance including the Bus Lines 28, 42, 69, 80, 82, 87 and 92.
However, if you are arriving in this area via the RER, then the nearest train station is the Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel stop serving the RER C Line, which will also get you close to this traditional puppet show.
