Comédie-Française: its treasures on display in museums across France during renovation work

The legendary Salle Richelieu closed its doors on January 16, 2026 for extensive renovation work. However, the Comédie-Française is not standing still. Between off-site shows and exhibitions in several French museums, the troupe is turning this forced pause into a rare and exciting adventure.

Over 20 million euros for the Salle Richelieu

In 1680, the Comédie-Française was created by decree of Louis XIV. The king decided to unite the two existing Parisian troupes, including the one founded by Molière. Later, in 1799, the troupe moved to the heart of the Palais-Royal, in the Salle Richelieu.

For more than two centuries, this theatre has been a beacon for comedies and tragedies. However, after 200 years of use, work was urgently needed. The building needed a serious facelift if it was to continue to welcome audiences in the best possible conditions.

The project is estimated to cost in excess of 20 million euros. It includes, among other things, refurbishment of the stage floor and restructuring of the technical areas. Expansion of the storage areas and renovation of the foyer and grand staircase are also part of the program.

“The company has managed to turn its closure into a true cultural adventure throughout France.”

Total closure until July 2026

The theater is therefore closed to the public until July. During this period, no performances can be held in the Salle Richelieu. This is a rare event in the long history of this institution.

But the famous company is not disappearing from the cultural landscape. It will continue to perform in its two other venues: the Studio-Théâtre and the Vieux-Colombier. What’s more, nine Parisian partner theaters are hosting the company’s actors and actresses for the duration of the renovations.

• Refurbishing the stage floor
• Restructuring technical areas
• Expansion of storage space
• Renovation of foyer and grand staircase
• Total closure to the public until July 2026

The Comédie-Française invites itself to museums in France

In addition to the performances, the troupe takes advantage of this interlude to exhibit its hidden treasures. Paintings, busts, costumes and other pieces of the company’s heritage are on their way to several French museums. This is a first for many of these works, usually on view only in the Salle Richelieu.

This cultural tour allows drama lovers to see the company in a different light. The collections, often unknown to the general public, are finally shown in a true museum context. As a result, the theater’s closure becomes a unique opportunity to learn more about the company’s heritage.

Three major exhibitions punctuate this tour of France. Each one highlights a different aspect of the company’s collections. Here are the details of these not-to-be-missed events in 2026.

Three exhibitions to see across France

The first stop is at Louvre-Lens, less than 2 hours from Paris. Until December 7, an exhibition presents the troupe’s collections of paintings and sculptures. These works, usually hung in the Salle Richelieu, are brought together for the first time in a dedicated museum.

Then it’s off to the Centre national du costume de la scène in Moulins, about 3 hours from Paris. The exhibition Trésors de la Comédie-Française (Treasures of the Comédie-Française ) runs until September 20. It showcases costumes and pieces rarely accessible to the public, to the delight of fashion and theater enthusiasts.

In the Basque Country, in the footsteps of Edmond Rostand

Finally, a little further south, in the Basque country, Villa Arnaga will be hosting several works from the company’s collections from April onwards. This was the home ofEdmond Rostand, the famous writer of Cyrano de Bergerac. The location thus creates a natural link between the history of the Comédie-Française and one of the most popular plays in French theater.

This exhibition weaves together the great figures of the company and the work of Rostand. A visit to Villa Arnaga gives visitors a better understanding of how the company’s repertoire and heritage interact. The setting, steeped in history, makes the experience all the more moving.

Thanks to these three events, lovers of the performing arts can rediscover some of the magic of the Salle Richelieu, even far from Paris. With this initiative, the company proves that a construction site does not mean silence. On the contrary, it opens the door to wider cultural dissemination throughout the region.

Whether you’re in northern, central or south-western France, there’s now a way to get closer to the Comédie-Française’s heritage. These exhibitions offer a rare window on collections that are almost never seen outside the walls of the Palais-Royal. For anyone who loves the theater, this is the perfect time to meet them.

• Comédie-Française