Bataclan (theatre)
| Company type | Theatre and concert venue |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Founder | Charles Duval |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Theatre performances, rock concerts, comedy acts, discos, café-théâtre |
The Bataclan () is a theatre situated at 50 Boulevard Voltaire within Paris' 11th arrondissement. Conceived in 1864 by architect Charles Duval, its name pays homage to the operetta Ba-ta-clan composed by Jacques Offenbach. Since the early 1970s, it has established itself as a significant venue for rock music performances. On 13 November 2015, it was the site of a coordinated terrorist attack resulting in the deaths of 90 individuals.
Origins and Function
Initially operating as a spacious café-concert designed in the Chinoiserie style, the Bataclan housed a café and theatre on its ground level with a dance hall above. When it opened on 3 February 1865 under the name Grand Café Chinois, management was under André Martin Paris. In 1892, ownership transferred to the singer Paulus, and that same year, Buffalo Bill Cody appeared there.
The venue gained recognition for presenting vaudeville works by dramatists like Eugène Scribe and Jean-François Bayard. After 1910, the focus shifted towards revues, particularly those produced by José de Bérys, featuring performers such as Maurice Chevalier and Édith Piaf. However, an ambitious tour across South America by the Bataclan troupe led to financial setbacks.
In 1926, the auditorium was repurposed into a cinema. Safety improvements were made following a fire in 1933 and partial demolition in 1950. The cinema ceased operations in 1969, allowing the space to revert back to theatrical use.
From the 1970s onward, the Bataclan emerged as a prominent location for rock concerts, hosting bands including Genesis, Soft Machine, Dream Theater, Phish, and Kraftwerk. After the terrorist attack during an Eagles of Death Metal show in 2015, the theatre underwent repairs and resumed activity one year later with a performance by Sting.
Currently, the Bataclan accommodates a variety of events such as rock and pop concerts, comedy acts, discos, and café-théâtre productions. Its façade was restored to its original color scheme in 2006, although its characteristic pagoda-style roof was removed. In May 2015, it hosted "Who Is Malcolm X," featuring Muslim rappers including Médine and Kery James.
Among notable live recordings made at the Bataclan are Jeff Buckley's Live from the Bataclan (1995), Dream Theater's progressive metal album Once in a LIVEtime (1998), and the Velvet Underground’s 1972 concert released as Le Bataclan '72. Additionally, Camel’s live album The Paris Collection (2001) was recorded at this venue.
Security Concerns Related to Pro-Israel Activities
For four decades, Jewish siblings Pascal and Joel Laloux owned the Bataclan until its sale on 11 September 2015. The theatre regularly hosted events supporting Israel, which drew attention from anti-Zionist groups. In 2011, the extremist faction known as the Army of Islam issued threats against the Bataclan due to its Jewish proprietors.
Moreover, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested against the theatre’s pro-Israel affiliations. A video from 2008 captures masked militants issuing a warning: "Be warned. Next time we won’t be coming here to talk."
2015 Terrorist Assaults
On 13 November 2015, a trio of gunmen with French-Algerian backgrounds launched a mass shooting at the Bataclan during a concert featuring the American rock group Eagles of Death Metal. Equipped with suicide vests, the assailants opened fire and took several hostages. Law enforcement intervened by storming the venue; two attackers detonated their explosive belts, while the third was fatally shot by police before he could trigger his device. The perpetrators were identified as French nationals Samy Amimour and Omar Ismaïl Mostefaï, along with Foued Mohamed-Aggad, who was carrying what appeared to be a stolen Syrian passport.
This attack caused 91 fatalities and left more than 200 individuals injured. While most of the band's members and crew escaped without harm, their merchandise manager was among those who lost their lives.
Consequences of the Assault
In the aftermath, it emerged that members of American rock band Deftones had been in close proximity during the Eagles of Death Metal performance; lead vocalist Chino Moreno was dining with his family nearby. Deftones had been scheduled to perform at the Bataclan on subsequent evenings.
Irish rock band U2 had planned two concerts in Paris shortly after the incident, one of which was to be broadcast live on HBO, but these events were cancelled by the French authorities. The day following the attacks, the band visited the Bataclan to lay flowers and committed to rescheduling their shows. Lead singer Bono offered condolences and emphasized that the assault represented an attack directly targeting music itself.
On 16 November, Bataclan management announced an indefinite closure due to ongoing restoration work and conveyed profound sorrow for victims and their families, promising forthcoming information about memorial events.
On 18 November, Eagles of Death Metal released a statement expressing shock and sympathy while thanking survivors and emergency responders. Similarly, White Miles extended their condolences, reflecting on their fortunate safety in contrast to others’ tragedies. Nearly a month later, on 8 December, Eagles of Death Metal returned to the Bataclan to honor those affected.
By 11 February 2016, Bataclan management confirmed plans for reopening later that year following renovations. Initially, Pete Doherty was booked for a concert on 16 November 2016, close to the first anniversary of the attack; however, on 4 November 2016 it was announced that Sting would headline a special reopening performance on 12 November 2016. This event accommodated approximately 1,497 attendees, including around 1,000 family members of victims, serving as a symbol of resilience and remembrance.
See also
External links
- (in French)