Comédie-Française closes Salle Richelieu for €11M renovation
The Comédie-Française has closed its historic Salle Richelieu in Paris until July 2026 for a major renovation of the stage floor and technical spaces. The stage floor, last replaced over 20 years ago, has become unstable, limiting programming possibilities. The €11 million project, funded by the French Ministry of Culture and patronage, also includes restoring the glass roof of the grand staircase, the Pierre-Dux foyer, and improving storage access. Concurrently, a €10 million energy renovation, started in 2024, will replace windows, add thermal insulation, and upgrade heating, continuing until 2030. During closure, the troupe performs at nine partner theaters.
Key facts
- Salle Richelieu closed from January to July 2026.
- Stage floor last restored over 20 years ago; normally replaced every 15 years.
- Renovation budget is €11 million from Ministry of Culture and patronage.
- Energy renovation budget is €10 million, ongoing since 2024 until 2030.
- Works include stage floor replacement, technical space restructuring, and public area restoration.
- In 2012, the theater closed for one year for acoustic renovation.
- Troupe performs at nine partner theaters during closure.
- Patrick Moch is the works manager.
Entities
Artists
- Patrick Moch
Institutions
- Comédie-Française
- Ministère de la Culture
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Salle Richelieu
- Palais-Royal