Theatre Paris-Villette in Park Villette
This theatre is located within the cultural area of Parc de la Villette, and having re-opened its doors in 2013 with a new management, it is dedicated to contemporary creation mainly for children and adolescents, and has a bar and restaurant open prior to and after each performance.
A bit of history
The Theatre Paris-Villette is housed within a pavilion that was constructed in a neoclassical style while the abattoirs were still in operation within the area and was originally designed to house the leather market for the slaughterhouses.
After the area was closed to the slaughterhouses it became a theatre in the 1970s. Then, when the area was completely redeveloped into the cultural park in Paris that you can discover today with its numerous different music venues, museums, etc, the theatre was re-opened in 1986 as the Theatre Paris-Villette.
However, with only a short season in 2011 due to lack of funding, it was closed in 2012, much to the dismay of many, and petitions were organised to get the theatre re-opened, and this led to the appointment of a new management team in 2013 to turn the Theatre Paris-Villette into a place for contemporary creation.
About the Theatre Paris-Villette
The Theatre Paris-Villette is a place that supports creativity and contemporary creation for children and adolescents, where two different rooms or auditoriums are available, with one seating 70 people and the other a maximum of 200.
And the idea is to encourage new forms of theatre and dance, yet workshops are also organised, and there is a very varied programme running throughout the year with shows suitable for children as well as adults.
But within the Theatre Paris-Villette, there is also a bar where both artists and the audience meet up in a friendly atmosphere and discuss their passions of acting, singing and dancing.
Originally when the theatre reopened you could enjoy a meal provided by Tartes Kluger who specialise in savoury and sweet tarts like Quiche Lorraine, for instance. Yet this has since changed and in keeping with the theme of promoting the arts to young people and in partnership with the Atelier Cuisine, young chef apprentices offer a buffet on some evenings at the premiers.
Visiting the Theatre Paris-Villette
Tickets for the performances do vary in cost from €10 to €20 at the standard adult rate, however there is a reduced cost of €10 to €15 for those that are handicapped, over aged 60, or for large groups. There is also a young persons tariff of €10 to €12, but the cost is only €8 for those under the age of 12 as of 2018.
You may also be pleased to know that both of the rooms at this theatre in Paris are accessible to the disabled, yet it is requested that you contact the Theatre Paris-Villette prior to your visit by telephone on +33 (0) 1 40 03 72 23, in order for you to be welcomed in the best possible conditions.
And as for the bar and restaurant, these are open one hour prior to a performance, and also for one hour after each of these shows in Paris, so that you can enjoy your evening to its fullest.
Now when it comes to getting to the Theatre Paris-Villette, as we have mentioned, you will find this located within the Parc de la Villette in the 19th Arrondissement, and it is along the Galerie de la Villette, virtually opposite La Grande Halle, close to where you can find the Fontaine aux Lions and the information centre in one of the red Folies, which is in the southern end of the park.
This means that the nearest Metro station is the Port de Pantin stop serving line 5 by the Avenue Jean Jaures, plus the Tramway line T3b also stops here, yet the bus lines 75 and 151 also stop close by as well.
However, if you have your own vehicle, then you may be pleased to know that there is a secure paying public car park right by the Cite de la Musique, which is open 24 hours a day, and there are also dedicated disabled spaces available here as well.
In addition to these, there other options for public transport that will get you to different areas of the Parc de la Villette including the Bus Lines 139, 150, 152 and 330 along with the Noctilien Night Bus Service via Lines N13, N41, N42, N45 and N140 plus the Metro station called the Porte de la Villette stop serving Line 7.
