An unavoidable events venue in Paris

Théâtre du Merveilleux

Setting

Portrait de Jean Paul Favand

« Ladies and Gentlemen, come discover the elephant shaped hot-air balloon, the hidden dwarf nesting on a giant’s wooden leg, the unicorn playing piano and so much more… » Jean Paul Favand

A palace of marvels and illusions for your special events

This palace of marvels and illusions, where the real and the virtual meet, will provide you with an unforgettable experience. With its imposing iron beams and brick-arched openings, its structure bears witness of the industrial architecture of the late 1800s. The scenery pays tribute to a form of entertainment that was popular in the 19th century « The Theatre of Marvels and its phantasmagorias ».

A combination of tradition and modernity

The orchestration of the lighting, sound and optical effects turns this venue into an enormous show hall. The numerous old and authentic attractions are featured along with our virtual astrological game and video shows to please your guests.

A great venue for big events

The versatility of the space will enable to transform it accordingly to your events specifications. It is the biggest of our four venues and is perfectly suitable for conferences, fashion shows, dinner dance, formal dinners and cocktail receptions for numerous guests.

Entrée du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Vue sur la licorne côté réception du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Vue sur l'orgue Mortier du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Vue sur la partie réception du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Vue sur les stands de glisse du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Vue du Théâtre du Merveilleux à l'occasion d'un cocktail
Dîner de gala au Théâtre du Merveilleux
Convention au Théâtre du Merveilleux
Cocktail au Théâtre du Merveilleux
Stand de glisse de Théâtre du Merveilleux au cours d'une soirée événementielle
Jeu de la licorne du Théâtre du Merveilleux à l'occasion d'une soirée événementielle
Evénement au théâtre du Merveilleux

Capacity

Seated meal

Up to 800 guests

cocktail reception

Up to 880 guests

Theater

Up to 850 guests

Size 1800m2

Capacity 880 guests

Adding a room : you can increase the capacity by adding another room (the Musée des Arts Forains, the Salons Vénitiens or the Magic Mirror).

Adding an outdoor area: The private garden-street – 800 sqm

Rates : Rental fees are quoted upon request, according to the number of guests, the time of the year and the chosen options.

Fairground attractions, shows and artists

Fairground attractions and games

  • Jeux d'adresse du Théâtre du Merveilleux

    Wooden skill games

    Ancestors of the billiards, these games require skills and dexterity

  • Détail de la loterie du Jeu de la Licorne

    Unicorn zodiac game

    This sculpture of figurative woods was entirely created to receive video projections. As in a lottery, the players bid on the zodiac sign of their choice. The winners assist to the projection of a poetic video corresponding to their astrological sign.

  • Jeu de Billard Japonais

    Billiard and pucks table games

    Despite their name, Japanese billiards do not come from the Far East. They are French games in which points are accumulated by throwing balls into various circles.
    Pucks elasticated table games : players race each other to clear the pucks from their side of the board. It will guarantee your guests a laugh or two.

  • Jeu de Tir Marenghi

    Marenghi shooting gallery

    These mechanical shooting targets made by Valentin Milot represent several scenes of daily life. Once you hit the target, the doors spring open. The scene animates thanks to a clockwork mechanism and windup power.

  • Détail de la course de Palio du Théâtre du Merveilleux

    Horse race

    This unavoidable attraction lets you take part in captivating races. Twelve horses stand side by side on the starting line. The first player who finishes the race, with or without a rider, wins.

  • Jeu de Toupie Hollandaise

    Dutch spinning top game

    This beautifully decorated game of chance was already present in royal courts. It then appeared in clubs and salons. Wishes will come true if you manage to ring the bell.

Wooden skill games

Attraction - Jeux d'adresse

Unicorn zodiac game

Attraction - Jeu de la Licorne 2

The game

Jeu de la licorne du Théâtre du Merveilleux à l'occasion d'une soirée événementielle

Guests discovering the projection of one astrological sign

Attraction - projections Jeu de la Licorne
Attraction - projection Jeu de la Licorne
Attraction - Licorne

The unicorn

Billiard and pucks table games

Stand de glisse du Théâtre du Merveilleux

General view of the booth and the pucks games.

Attraction - Billards Japonais Théâtre du Merveilleux

the japanese billiards

Vue sur les stands de glisse du Théâtre du Merveilleux
Stand de glisse de Théâtre du Merveilleux au cours d'une soirée événementielle

Marenghi shooting gallery

Tir Marenghi du Théâtre du Merveilleux

Vue d'ensemble du Tir Marenghi

Attraction - Tir Marenghi 2

Horse race

Attraction - Course de chevaux 3
Attraction - Course de chevaux 1
Attraction - Course de chevaux 2

Dutch spinning top game

Toupies Hollandaises du Théâtre du Merveilleux

Vue d'ensemble des Toupies Hollandaises

Attraction - Toupies Hollandaises Théâtre du Merveilleux

Shows

Video Show

Twelve video projectors and many different light sources work collectively, the room seems endowed with life, turning into a 1800sqm show hall. This confrontation between the real and the virtual is intriguing as it plays on optical illusions and unusual combining of images. It is a tribute to the very first forms of lights and shadows performances, using modern cutting edge technologies and a great amount of fantasy.

Mechanical music instruments

Three instruments are playing together – a carillon on the wall, a Mortier organ from the 1920s and an automated piano telepathically controlled by the Unicorn – and interpret waltzes and gymnopaedias, turning the room into a ballroom.


Artists

We can give you a catalogue of artists to choose from for a live performance:

Trapezists, stilt-walkers, jugglers, acrobats, mimes, fire breathers, magiciens, musicians, and orchestras who can greet your guests and animate your event.

Discover our live performers

History

ROBERTSON AND THE PHANTASMAGORIAS

The “Théâtre du Merveilleux” is named after a form of theatre created around 1800 and pays homage to Robertson. In those days, artists used the latest discoveries of the Industrial Revolution to amaze spectators. Special lighting and magic lantern projections were among the most popular. This form of theatre, which was innovative at the time, lives on inside this building along with the memory of the “Tivolis”, the ancestors of our first show halls.

TECHNOLOGY AND ILLUSIONS

Tales, myths and legends take part in the show. The blend of traditions and contemporary technologies creates magic and illusions, and acts as a trigger to imagination.

Among the four venues offered by the Pavillons de Bercy, the Théâtre du Merveilleux, a central site of Parisian performing arts, is also a laboratory of ideas.

THE STAGING OF OBJECTS

Jean Paul Favand, formerly known for his career in staging objects, has created a1800sqm curiosity cabinet where each and every object has been restored and adjusted to bring about a dialogue with the public.

The Unicorn wood sculpture (8 by 11m), is an installation that harks back to the garden follies in vogue during the 18th century. These figurative wood pieces and objects, collected from around the world, show renewed aspects thanks to the intertwined images of three video projectors.

On the other side of the room, visitors discover among other surprises world in motion of Captain Nemo, projected onto the structure of a ballroom organ from the early 20th century. A little further, wax characters from the “Musée Grévin” are wearing attires from the “Folies Bergères”.

Tech specifications

Total size : 1800sqm

Lighting : 96-channel digital console / Scripted lighting that uses over 650 sources of light. It is possible to customise the lighting according to the type of event chosen.

Sound : Multizone diffusion controlled by a computer / APG Diffusion / HF Mic.

Included personnel : a manager and security agent(s)

Other : The room is adapted for video projections.
Wi-Fi
Ground floor load-in
Prep area with sink  (lift)


DOWNLOADS

Directions

  • Icone voiture

    By car

    Easy access from the Boulevard Périphérique ( exit at Porte de Bercy ) and from the Voie Georges Pompidou

  • Icone transports en commun

    By metro

    Line 14  Station : Cour St Emilion – 5 minutes away from the Châtelet

  • By bus

    Lines 24, 109 and 111 – Bus stop : Terroirs de France

  • Icone parking

    Parking Indigo (3000 spaces)

    Saint-Emilion : 12 Place des Vins de France, 75012 Paris
    +33 (0) 1 44 68 89 59

  • Icone parking autocars

    Bercy Coach Parking

    Bercy Cars : 6 rue des Pirogues de Bercy, 75012 Paris
    +33 (0) 1 44 68 89 59
    Bercy Autocars : 210 quai de Bercy, 75012 Paris
    +33 (0) 1 43 47 00 01

  • Icone accessibilité

    Accessibility

    Disabled access
    Please note that a cobbled street connects our different rooms

Daily guided tours all summer long

In Paris this summer?
Make the most of it and visit the Pavillons de Bercy!
All visit slots are posted online.
There is no possibility of visiting without prior booking.