Pagoda Cinema

Pagoda Cinema

Situated in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the Pagoda Cinema holds legendary status among locals, boasts unique architecture, and has a mythical backstory. It was designed and built by the celebrated French architect Alexandre Marcel and completed in 1896. The cinema was originally a gift from François-Émile Morin, the manager of the famous Left Bank department store Le Bon Marché, to his wife.

Madame Morin hosted numerous receptions in this Japanese-style house, and one can imagine the lively scenes of distinguished guests and clinking glasses that once filled the space. However, even such a precious gift failed to win her heart—Madame Morin left for her husband’s business partner within a year. Though the mistress was gone, the Pagoda Garden remained a hub for celebrity gatherings until it closed in 1927.

In 1931, the Pagoda opened to the public as the only cinema in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. In 1956, it gained the distinction of screening art-house and experimental films, often featuring critically acclaimed works directed by master filmmakers, making it a beloved spot for Parisian cinephiles. In the 1960s, the Pagoda supported emerging but controversial young directors by screening films from the French New Wave. By 1977, it had become an independent cinema with two screens: a 200-seat Japanese Film Hall and an 180-seat general auditorium.

The Pagoda Garden was designated a French historical monument on February 21, 1983. In 1990, the Pagoda Cinema was officially recognized as a historic building by the French Ministry of Culture for "bearing witness to the Eastern craze of the late 19th century" and continues to serve the public as a cinema.

La Pagode, Paris

Must-visit reason: Paris’s most legendary cinema

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]