Paris offers an unrivalled programme of theatre plays and humorous shows: comic shows, one-(wo)man shows, classical or contemporary plays... Paris has more than 130 theatres and more than 300 shows are performed every week!
The theatre programme for the start of the 2026 season in Paris promises to be particularly rich. With a mix of reimagined classics, brand-new productions, adaptations of best-selling novels and boulevard comedies, Paris’s theatres are set to deliver a particularly eclectic season.
A key institution on the French cultural scene, the Comédie Française is reopening its legendary Salle Richelieu after several months of renovation work. To mark this new chapter in its history, it is opening its season with Victor Hugo’s Ruy Blas, directed by Julie Duclos, from 15 October 2026 to 27 January 2027.
Lovers of great literature will also rediscover The Imaginary Invalid, reimagined by Francis Perrin at the Théâtre de la Michodière from 2 September to 18 October 2026, as well as Beaumarchais’s Le Mariage de Figaro, starring Vincent Dedienne at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin from 26 September to 1 November 2026.
Great contemporary works are taking centre stage more than ever! Florian Zeller returns with Le Père - considered one of the best plays of the century by The Times - at the Théâtre Édouard VII from 24 September 2026 to 3 January 2027, where Pierre Arditi and Isabelle Carré perform this deeply moving play about memory loss. At the Théâtre Libre, Dead Poets Society, adapted from the famous film by Peter Weir, returns to the stage from 11 September 2026 to 10 January 2027, whilst La Tresse, based on the bestseller by Laetitia Colombani, takes up residence at the Théâtre de la Renaissance from 25 September 2026 to 10 January 2027. Philosophy enthusiasts can catch Thierry Lhermitte in La Rencontre, an adaptation of Charles Pépin’s book, at La Comédie des Champs-Élysées from 15 September to 20 December 2026.
This autumn season also gives pride of place to some highly anticipated new productions. A true phenomenon of London’s West End, 2:22 – A Ghost Story is finally coming to Paris at the Théâtre Fontaine from 15 September 2026 to 3 January 2027. A cross between a psychological thriller and a paranormal drama, this play - starring Louane in particular - promises to send shivers down your spine. In an equally captivating vein, The King’s Speech, starring Francis Huster and Philippe Torreton, traces the life of George VI at the Théâtre du Gymnase from 17 September 2026 to 3 January 2027. In a very different vein, the first time Kad Merad and Michèle Laroque share the stage is one of the most eagerly anticipated events: Olivier Baroux’s L’Âge bête is being performed at the Folies Bergère from 7 to 24 October 2026.
Meanwhile, the Théâtre Marigny is hosting the extended run of Amadeus, Peter Shaffer’s unforgettable play, from 7 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, whilst Catherine Frot reprises the legendary role of Winnie in * Oh les beaux jours by Samuel Beckett at the Bouffes Parisiens from 23 September to 1 November 2026. Another highly anticipated event: Le Chameau, Jean Reno’s first one-man show, to be staged at the Théâtre Édouard VII from 1 to 31 December 2026.
At the Théâtre Antoine, Claudia Tagbo, Florent Peyre and Arié Elmaleh join forces in Le Sens de l’humour, running from 16 September 2026 to 10 January 2027. Laurent Ruquier, meanwhile, takes to the stage to perform his own play Chante et tais-toi at La Comédie des Champs-Élysées from 16 September 2026 (until 30 December 2026), whilst Fallait pas les inviter promises an explosive dinner at the Théâtre Tristan-Bernard from 10 September 2026 (until 14 November 2026).
There are also plenty of original productions. Julien and Florence Lefebvre present a new mystery with Les Aventuriers de minuit, running at the Théâtre Marigny from 16 September 2026 until 30 December. At the Théâtre Antoine, Stéphane Guillon plays Robert Badinter in Robert Badinter: l’enragé de justice, from 23 September 2026 to 3 January 2027. Meanwhile, Article 353 of the Penal Code, adapted from the novel by Tanguy Viel, plunges audiences into an intense courtroom showdown at the Théâtre du Petit Saint-Martin from 10 September to 31 October 2026.
A special mention goes to the enticing and varied programme at the Théâtre Hébertot: comedy in Le Cid pète 1 câble - co-written by Pierre Corneille and Caroline Vigneaux, with music by Mc Solaar - from 18 September 2026; a major historical drama in Diplomatie - featuring, notably, Dominique Pinon and Bruno Putzulu - from 23 September 2026 to 3 January 2027; a revival of Victor Hugo’s great classic Les Misérables - 10 actors, 70 costumes... - from 26 September to 26 December 2026; the new production by Alexis Michalik: Le Mariage de David et Leïla from 30 January 2027!
Several notable plays in very different styles are waiting to be discovered this Parisian theatre season:
One-man and one-woman shows are in the spotlight this autumn in the capital. With big names and up-and-coming talent, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Established comedians are all set to perform. Laurent Gerra returns to the Palais des Congrès from 29 to 31 December 2026 with his new show Laurent Gerra se met à table !, whilst Malik Bentalha presents Nouveau Monde at the Dôme de Paris from 18 to 20 November 2026.
Fans can catch Panayotis Pascot, who is reviving his show Entre les deux at the Théâtre Fontaine from 16 to 18 September 2026, before a new run of performances at the Théâtre du Rond-Point from 6 to 9 October 2026, followed by performances at the Dôme de Paris on 6 and 7 November 2026. Comedian Thomas VDB will be presenting his new show Autruches at L’Européen from 3 December 2026 to 6 February 2027.
Another eagerly awaited event sees Tristan Lopin presenting his new show Partez sans moi, je vous rejoins at the Théâtre de l’Œuvre from 23 September to 10 October 2026. Through personal revelations, self-deprecating humour and a tender look at everyday life, the comedian continues to explore human relationships with his uniquely distinctive brand of humour.
The new generation of comedians is also eagerly awaited on the Parisian stage. Winner of Comedy Class 2025, Antek takes to the stage at the Théâtre du Marais with Fripon from 18 September to 31 October 2026, a show that is as touching as it is exhilarating. At the same venue, Cédric Salaün presents his first one-man show, Déjà dix-sept heures, from 17 September to 17 December 2026. Jean-Benoît Diallo blends humour and philosophy in Libre arbitre, at the Théâtre Le République from 25 September to 18 December 2026.
Stand-up fans can discover ** Édouard Deloignon**, who takes to the stage at the Théâtre Fontaine from 25 September 2026 (until 19 December 2026) with Grandira plus tard. Meanwhile, Kévin Bagot will be Navigue à vue at the Théâtre de La Nouvelle Seine from 19 September to 19 December 2026.
La Scala Paris is hosting two young comedians: Alexis Tramoni, from 18 September to 26 December 2026, in Le Meilleur et le Pire, and Guillaume Guisset’s show, from 25 September to 19 December 2026.
Comedy clubs, such as the Joke Comedy Club, Madame Sarfati and Jamel Comedy Club, are the perfect place to discover the comedians of tomorrow.
This year, the capital's one-man and one-woman shows are international! Whether you speak English or have a vague notion of it, you'll be won over by Olivier Giraud's How to become Parisian in one hour? at the théâtre des Nouveautés, until 10 January 2027.
At the Bo Saint-Martin theatre, Julie Collas presents her 100% English stand-up show Oh my God, she’s Parisian!: returning on 28 August 2026.
All these shows, and others, will be featured on the stages dedicated to laughter: the Palais des Glaces, the Point Virgule... but also in the big venues that give pride of place to humour: Casino de Paris, Folies Bergère or Bobino.
Want to extend your outings beyond theatre and comedy?
Don't miss our selection of 10 must-see shows in Paris: musicals, big concerts, ballets, circuses and immersive shows … a world of emotions to experience **at the capital’s finest venues **!
