Audio GuideL'Olympia

Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Parisian nightlife at L’Olympia, an iconic venue located on Boulevard des Capucines in the city’s ninth arrondissement. Since opening in the late nineteenth century, L’Olympia has held the title of Paris’s oldest surviving music hall, delighting generations of audiences for more than one hundred and thirty years.

Marc Hurtard

The story of L’Olympia began in eighteen ninety-three, when Joseph Oller, also a co-founder of the famous Moulin Rouge, established the venue following the closure of his much-loved roller coaster. From its earliest days, L’Olympia captured attention with its stylish blend of entertainment—acrobatic feats, can-can dancers with swirling skirts, and sparkling operettas that evoked the golden charm of bygone Paris. Dazzling performers such as La Goulue and Loïe Fuller brought enchantment and whimsy to the stage.

L'Olympia Bruno Coquatrix

L’Olympia has evolved with the times. In the late nineteen twenties, it was transformed into a cinema, reflecting the era’s fascination with sound films. Over the next several decades, the building took on various roles and welcomed different owners, yet always preserved its artistic soul. Another transformation came in the mid-twentieth century, when the talented impresario and musician Bruno Coquatrix reopened its doors as a music hall in nineteen fifty-four. With a keen eye for both innovation and tradition, he refreshed the venue’s image without losing its distinctive Parisian flair, inviting the leading lights of chanson and jazz.

Xavier Garonnat

Some of the most celebrated voices have graced the Olympia stage. Édith Piaf, remembered for her deeply moving performances, once sang through illness for months, sometimes giving several shows in a single evening. Jacques Brel presented his powerful “Amsterdam” for the first time here, while stars such as Johnny Hallyday set the hall alight with their energy. L’Olympia has also welcomed international legends—Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Beatles among them—ensuring Paris’s musical heart beats to rhythms from every corner of the globe.

With its distinctive red neon “Olympia” sign lighting up the façade, the building retains the character of Paris’s bygone days, standing proudly as a landmark for music lovers. A careful restoration at the end of the nineteen nineties ensured the historic exterior was preserved, while the interior was elegantly upgraded, combining plush red seating with graceful balconies. Even the billiard room, once a secret retreat for artists, remains steeped in creative history.

The sounds that fill L’Olympia today cover the full spectrum of music—from the classics of French chanson to unforgettable jazz and modern pop. Performances play to audiences of nearly two thousand in the sumptuously upholstered seats, and many more crowd in for special standing events. Now, laughter and dance share the programme alongside music, bringing spontaneity and excitement to every occasion.

If you wish to discover Parisian culture at its most genuine, L’Olympia is a living symbol of both tradition and dynamism—a place where every show adds a new page to the continuing story of Paris.