Paris's Legendary Le Palace Nightclub to Reopen After Decades of Neglect
In the late 1970s, Le Palace stood as one of continental Europe's most famous nightclubs, nestled in Paris's bustling theatre district. On its opening night on March 1, 1978, Grace Jones captivated VIP guests with a stunning rendition of Edith Piaf's classic La Vie en Rose. This set the stage for an era where icons like Serge Gainsbourg, Prince, Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, and Karl Lagerfeld graced its dancefloor, creating a glittering hub for international celebrities, politicians, designers, and models.
A Disco Wonderland's Rise and Fall
As Donna Summer's Hot Stuff echoed through the halls, Le Palace became synonymous with the disco craze. However, within five years of its opening, the genre began to fade, and the Parisian boogie wonderland where patrons strutted to Stayin' Alive faced closure. Despite Gloria Gaynor's defiant anthem I Will Survive, the club could not withstand the changing tides.
The avant-garde venue temporarily shut its doors in 1982 when owner Fabrice Emaer fell ill with terminal cancer, marking the end of Le Palace as it was known. After Emaer's death in 1983, attempts to revive it under new management failed, and by the late 1990s, the legendary spot was abandoned to squatters and looters, eventually closing definitively in 2023.
Revival Plans and Historical Restoration
Today, Le Palace is poised for a remarkable comeback. French producer Mickael Chétrit purchased the iconic building last year with a vision to restore it as a popular venue, breathing new life into its historic spirit. "I'm too young to remember the club in its heyday, but I've seen the photos and documentaries and spoken to people who used to come here," Chétrit said during a tour of the remnants. "In those days, everyone knew Le Palace."
Since announcing plans to reopen in early 2027, Chétrit has been inundated with requests from artists worldwide eager to perform at the revived venue. "We've had lots of requests from great artists. Many French and foreign performers want to return to where it all began for them," he noted, though he declined to name specifics. "Le Palace is still a well-known name, and performing here was like playing at Olympia."
The renovation aims to respect the club's rich history, with Chétrit emphasizing, "The idea is to keep the name and use its past to shape its future." The building, originally opened in 1912 as a cinema before transforming into a concert hall featuring stars like Tino Rossi and Joséphine Baker, holds a storied past. In the 1920s, an operetta with simulated sex scenes nearly led to its closure by authorities.
Challenges and Heritage Preservation
The facade's neon sign is currently hidden behind scaffolding as renovations begin next month to recreate a basement nightclub and a theatre-concert venue with a capacity of up to 1,400 people. However, the project faces challenges due to listed parts of the main theatre, including a hand-painted fresco from 1912 depicting naked dancers. "It costs a lot when things are listed because work must be done by specific craftsmen to restore it to its original state," Chétrit explained, highlighting the need to preserve France's architectural heritage.
Interior designer Jacques Garcia, known for redesigning luxury Paris hotels, is overseeing the revamp. Reflecting on the club's legacy, Garcia said, "I spent my life here, with one party after another alongside incredible people. We were crazy, without limits, but with a certain elegance. Le Palace represents a myth for many who experienced it."
Glass cabinets in the entrance corridor still display posters of famous patrons like Yves Saint Laurent and Tina Turner, which will be brought to life on video screens upon reopening. "You will be able to experience Le Palace through photos and videos, so those who didn't know it can understand its essence," Chétrit added. "There is no other venue in Paris with such a history. We're going to restore it all."
