La Cité du cinéma

The Cité du Cinéma is a cultural and events venue located in Saint-Denis, in a converted former power station in the Pleyel district. Founded in 2012 by Luc Besson as a film studio complex, it underwent a major transformation before reopening to the general public in 2026, under the management of the company Seine & Watts. The site now hosts exhibitions, a cinema, a food court and shows, with a target of 300,000 visitors per year.

No, the Cité du Cinéma is not closed: it reopened its doors to the public in May 2026 following several months of work carried out by Vinci Immobilier. The site, managed by Seine & Watts under a ten-year lease, now welcomes visitors and professionals throughout the week, including at weekends. The Louis Lumière School and the Studios de Paris also continue to operate on site.

The Cité du Cinéma is located in the heart of the Pleyel district in Saint-Denis, easily accessible by metro via line 13 (Carrefour Pleyel station) or via line 17 of the Grand Paris Express from Saint-Denis Pleyel station. By car, it can be reached from the northern ring road, taking the Porte de Saint-Ouen exit. The exact address is 20, rue Ampère, 93200 Saint-Denis.

The Cité du Cinéma’s programme is structured around four main pillars: cinema, performing arts, music and media. The 450-seat auditorium hosts regular screenings, previews and live performances, with a particular focus on young local filmmakers. The central hall hosts exhibitions for the general public dedicated to pop culture and cinema, in the spirit of the major Star Wars and Harry Potter exhibitions that left a lasting impression.

Luc Besson is the founding father of the Cité du Cinéma: it was he who, as early as 2003, conceived the idea of transforming the former power station in Saint-Denis into a major European film production hub, nicknamed “Hollywood-sur-Seine”. The site opened in September 2012 under the leadership of his company, EuropaCorp. Due to a lack of sufficient profitability, EuropaCorp was subsequently removed from the project, making way for new managers who redesigned the venue to open it to the public.

Yes, the Cité du Cinéma offers 12,000 m² of event space suitable for a wide variety of private or professional events, from corporate parties to national and international conferences.
The industrial hall can accommodate up to 6,000 people, making the site one of the most impressive event venues in Greater Paris. For any enquiries, we recommend contacting the Cité du Cinéma team directly via its official website.

Which films have been shot at the Cité du Cinéma?

Opened in 2012 in Saint-Denis on the initiative of Luc Besson, the Cité du Cinéma’s film sets have hosted the filming of a vast number of French and international productions. Among the iconic feature films shot on site are Luc Besson’s blockbusters such as Lucy and Valérian and the City of a Thousand Planets, popular comedies such as Alain Chabat’s Santa & Cie and Dany Boon’s La Ch’tite Famille, the Hollywood production Jackie by Pablo Larraín, as well as flagship TV series such as Le Bureau des Légendes.

The year 2026 marks the grand reopening of the Cité du Cinéma to the general public. Following several months of renovation, the site is being transformed into a major cultural and events hub for the Greater Paris area. On the programme for this new 2026 season:

• A free grand opening weekend: on 19 and 20 September 2026, the Cité du Cinéma will throw open its doors to mark Heritage Days. This unique tour will offer visitors the chance to discover the refurbished spaces, watch stunt demonstrations, take part in dubbing workshops and explore the film sets
• A programme of cultural and festive events: throughout the year, the venue will host shows, screenings, workshops and major evening events, such as the Final Cut at the Cité du Cinéma electronic music festival this autumn
• The full programme is available on the Cité du Cinéma website