Ranelagh Puppets

The puppet theater you see in the Jardin du Ranelagh carries a tradition that has spanned nearly a century. Established by the city of Paris in 1930, the small wooden stage, or castelet, was built to host the classic Guignol performances that have been a staple of French leisure since the nineteenth century. While the theater has been managed by several different puppeteers over the decades, each one has maintained the character's signature blend of irreverent humor and audience participation. You are looking at a living piece of local history where, much like the original street performances of the past, the focus remains on the clever, courageous puppet who routinely triumphs over the figures of authority he encounters on stage.