Best movie theaters in Paris: Louxor

Paris is a real heaven for the seventh art lovers. In the City of Light, you can find many movie theaters, and some of them are just magical. This is the case of the Louxor. Located in the Parisian 10th district, this place had a very turbulent history. Inaugurated in October 1921, and listed as a historical monument in 1981, this movie theater was transformed into a nightclub in 1983 and then closed and abandoned in 1988. Finally, in 2013, the Louxor was renovated and reopened. 

History

Situated not far away from the Canal Saint Martin and Gare du Nord, the Louxor, a movie theater, was built in October 1921 by an architect Henri Zipcy. This place is a beautiful example of the 1920s architecture with its Neo-Egyptian façade decorated with multicolored mosaics which are the work of an artist Amédée Tiberti. A first movie ever screened in this movie theatre was “A Trip to Mars”, a Danish science-fiction movie from 1918 directed by Holger-Madsen. This mute movie is a kind of space opera that was filmed during the World War I and has a pacifist message. But at the end of the 1950s, the frequentation of this movie theatre declined, so the Louxor decided to change some things. From the 1970s, they started screening “exotic”, Indian and Egyptian movies in the original version. This new programming was supposed to attract the immigrant population in the Louxor. Listed as a historical monument in 1981, the Louxor officially closed its doors in November 1983. 

Renewal

After the Louxor closed its doors, this movie theater was transformed into a nightclub in 1983 and then closed and completely abandoned in 1988. Finally, in 2003, the City of Paris decided to save this cultural and historical heritage from ruin. Philippe Pumain, a French architect, was designated to carry out the project of renovation. The work began in 2010, and the inauguration was set for April 2013. The main hall was made as it was in 1921, in a neo-Egyptian style, and named after Youssef Chahine, an Egyptian director. The second hall with its ceiling evokes the tombs of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. On the opening night, four movies were screened: "The Grandmaster" by Wong Kar-wai, “Le Repenti” by Merzak Allouache, “No” by Pablo Larrain and “Free Angela”, by Shola Lynn. The Louxor was labeled as “Art et Essai” movie theater, a place that promotes independent cinema.

Practical information

The Louxor, a movie theater, is open every day and besides movies, you can also enjoy the Louxor’s beautiful terrace with an amazing view on the Sacré-Coeur, one of the most popular Parisian monuments. Price for one movie section is 9.80 €.