Théâtre Paris-Villette

The building you are approaching began its life as the Pavillon de la Bourse, or the Leather Exchange Pavilion, constructed in eighteen sixty-seven. At that time, this site was not a cultural destination, but a sprawling, industrial livestock market where thousands of animals were bought and sold daily to supply Paris with meat. Deals were not made with formal paperwork, but through simple verbal agreements sealed with a handshake. If you look closely at the architecture today, you can still see the remnants of the grand arcades that once housed these hectic, high-stakes auctions.