Paris’ Pathé Palace, Designed by Renzo Piano, Lends Unifrance Rendez-Vous a Taste of French Luxury

Upon the debut of Paris’ most stylish and modern cinema venue hosting this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous starting Tuesday, it’s understandable that some newcomers may experience a hint of familiarity.

Located mere strides away from the renowned Opera Garnier in the center of town, the Haussmannian building that currently hosts Pathé Palace was initially a vaudeville theater built in 1868. It then spent over a century as a prestigious movie theater, first known as Le Paramount and later as Le Gaumont Opera. After five years of being shut down and undergoing renovation, it has now been reopened as Pathé Cinemas’ premier Parisian location.

Just as the traditional Haussmannian facade of the building was maintained, architects from Renzo Piano Building Workshop aimed to blend the old and the modern. They emphasized light and open areas using glass structures and mixed-use construction methods akin to those found in the Centre Pompidou and The Shard. At the same time, they respected and preserved an iconic Art Deco staircase that had endured for almost a century.

Despite having both private reception areas and Pathé’s own offices at the upper levels, the Pathé Palace stands out as an exceptional multiplex cinema, equipped with seven screens boasting top-tier technical and comfort features, along with some less common luxury amenities. While numerous premium cinemas can offer Dolby Atmos sound systems and Onyx Cinema HDR screens, very few –if any– provide additional services like an on-site concierge and a wine selection wall.

The Pathé Palace, with its private reception areas and offices, is a top-notch multiplex cinema featuring seven screens with high-quality technology and comfort features, along with some extra luxuries that many other premium cinemas don’t have, like an on-site concierge service and a wine wall.

According to Pathé chairman Jerôme Seydoux, the Palace is not just a cinema, it’s a luxurious escape for dreamers worldwide. He emphasized that creativity and feelings are worth more than logic, and this philosophy is reflected in the Palace. Visitors will appreciate the newest films, but also experience a unique location near the Opéra in the center of Paris, designed by a renowned architect and crafted by artisans of high quality and precision.

Just like Pathé’s latest homegrown hit, “The Count of Monte Cristo,” this unique cinema complex was born out of a shared ambition to cater to market demands in a more distinctive manner. Specifically, it aims to fulfill the demand for high-end cinemas by offering an undeniably French interpretation of elegance. What makes this place special is that you can enjoy a bag of artisan popcorn alongside one of their 24 available wines.

This cinema, similar to Pathé’s recent blockbuster “The Count of Monte Cristo,” was created with the aim of addressing market demands in a unique way. Its goal is to provide an unquestionably luxurious French experience by offering 24 wines and artisan popcorn.)

According to Lucia Anglade from Pathé Cinemas, this reopening aligns perfectly with the company’s strategy to modernize and cater to a higher-end market. They are consistently putting money into their theater network to ensure they deliver an exceptional experience and meet the growing demands of moviegoers.

Now open and ready to welcome visitors, this establishment, known as a sanctuary for “affordable luxury,” underscores its name by offering admissions priced at $25 per person. As it continues to grow, it emphasizes the relevance of traditional methods within the high-end sector. In addition to modern technology, The Pathé Palace boasts both 35mm and 70mm projectors, utilizing them effectively for weekly retrospectives. Movies such as “The Brutalist,” scheduled for a local release in February, receive special treatment with director-approved showings that make each screening an event.

At the Pathé Palace, just like many modern-day exhibitions in France and beyond, everything that’s old has been given a fresh lease of life.

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2025-01-13 17:18