Opened to the public in 2014, the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, chaired by Sophie Seydoux and dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the historical heritage of Pathé, is a must-see for film buffs. It is located in my neighborhood, on Avenue des Gobelins, on the site of a former performance venue, the Théâtre des Gobelins, inside a new 2,200 m² building designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.
As for its history, built in 1869 by architect Alphonse Cusin, the Théâtre des Gobelins was a very active cultural venue in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Its facade, which has been preserved and is the work of Auguste Rodin, is listed as a historical monument. The theater, which was transformed into a cinema called the Gaumont Gobelins-Rodin, closed its doors in 2003. The Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation now offers a wide range of activities and a rich program of screenings centered around specific themes.
Jérôme-Seydoux Pathé Foundation
73 avenue des Gobelins 75013 Paris
Link to the Foundation’s website
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Table of Contents
Architectural tour of Renzo Piano’s contemporary building
Behind the Auguste Rodin facade, architect Renzo Piano built a five-story shell covered with 7,000 protective shutters. The tour offers a discovery of the building with a guide who presents both the history of the construction and the details of its architecture. At the end of the tour, a 26-minute film is screened in the Charles Pathé room. It provides insight into the history behind the construction of this extraordinary building, which was the result of a seven-year collaboration between Renzo Piano and the Foundation. A guided tour is organized weekly to discover the treasures of the Pathé company and the work of Renzo Piano.
The little extra: access to the top floor of the Foundation, which is reserved for researchers and students on weekdays and allows one to admire the now-famous “glass shell,” characteristic of the Italian architect’s style.
Architectural Tours every Saturday at 12:00 PM
Price of the tour: €7
Tour duration: 1 hourOnline booking on the Foundation’s website
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Visit the Gallery of Apparatuses
This tour is free of charge for every visitor attending a film screening at the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, but the Gallery of Apparatuses can also be visited in the presence of an experienced guide every Thursday at 3:00 PM. With no extra fee, this guided tour provides a clear understanding of the history of the 150 cinematographic devices exhibited in the gallery, how they function, and their evolution from 1897 to the 1980s.
Gallery of Apparatuses
Tours every Thursday at 3:00 PM
Excluding school holidays and public holidays
Price of guided tour and film screening: €6.50 / Reduced (students, seniors 65+): €5 / Child (-14): €4
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Current exhibitions/programs
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Alexandre Dumas on Screen (2023)
From March 22 to July 15, 2023, the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation honors the literary genius of Alexandre Dumas through a film series and a unique exhibition, Alexandre Dumas on Screen. This celebration coincides with the release of the highly anticipated film The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan by Martin Bourboulon, scheduled for April 5, 2023 (as I write these lines, I haven’t seen the film yet, but I can’t wait).
The exhibition, dedicated to cinematic adaptations of Dumas’ works, presents numerous documents and film clips, as well as costumes, photographs… It is an opportunity to dive into the world of this master of literature, whose novels have inspired filmmakers from around the world and showcased the greatest stars of their time (Gene Kelly, Isabelle Adjani, Leonardo DiCaprio…). One is quickly struck by the impressive richness of the cinematic work adapted from Dumas’ novels. Whether in a comedic or more dramatic style, and across many countries, we discover that his stories have managed to touch a global audience.
Finally, special screenings (The Three Musketeers by George Sidney then André Hunebelle, The Tower of Nesle by Noël Herpe, etc.) and lectures led by specialists enrich the event. The Foundation also offers workshops for young audiences, as well as a cine-show “Cinéfables.” I highly recommend this exhibition, which highlights the fascinating universality of Alexandre Dumas’ work.
Alexandre Dumas on Screen
From March 22 to July 15, 2023
Pricing: €7 / Reduced (students, seniors 65+) €5.50 / Child (-14) €4.50
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Past exhibitions/programs
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Exhibition Pathé-Rural, cinema in the countryside (2022)
Every method was used to bring cinema everywhere in the territory. Thus, in the 1920s, Pathé developed a small, highly portable projector that was easy to use, allowing for the screening of films on 17.5mm film (half the size of a standard 35mm film) in places that were not equipped to show films (cafes, reception halls, etc.).
This small exhibition on two floors – one dedicated to projectors, magazines, and other documents about the Pathé-Rural, and the other mainly showing posters – allows you to dive into the fascinating world of the cinema craze at the beginning of the 20th century. Behind a desire by public authorities to promote cinema throughout France, it was also undeniably a commercial interest for Pathé. Nevertheless, thanks to this small projector in these makeshift cinemas, it enabled many people to discover cinema and the great films of its time (as well as newsreels). A must-see!
Pathé-Rural exhibition, cinema in the countryside
From April 21 to July 13, 2022
Pricing: €7 / Reduced (students, seniors 65+) €5.50 / Child (-14) €4.50
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Exhibition Henri Caruel, cinema stereoscopy (2021/2022)
Starting October 7, 2021, the Foundation highlights a little-known set photographer, Henri Caruel, who from 1943 to 1953 practiced the very singular art of stereoscopy on film sets. What is hidden behind this complicated word? Simply a technique to give a 3D effect to images (yes, 3D has existed for a long time!). To see the photography taken with this technique, you just “need” to look through a stereoscope and there you go!
Beyond the purely technical aspect, Henri Caruel demonstrates a beautiful visual sense through plays with perspectives and attention to detail. This small exhibition therefore sheds light on a talented but unfortunately forgotten photographer and allows us, the visitors, to dive into the worlds of Children of Paradise or Gates of the Night.
Little extra: you can also enjoy a special tour with breakfast and a discovery of the exhibition!
Exhibition Henri Caruel
From October 7, 2021 to January 1, 2022
Pricing: €7 / Reduced (students, seniors 65+) €5.50 / Child (-14) €4.50
Breakfast / Exhibition Tour: in the morning, enjoy a breakfast at the Studio followed by a tour of the “Henri Caruel” exhibition by members of the Foundation’s Collections team.
From 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM: welcome and breakfast / 9:30 AM: Tour (approx. 45min)
Price €12 upon reservation
Upcoming dates: 20/10, 10/11, 24/11, 1/12, 15/12
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A program of Cine-Concerts dedicated to Buster Keaton, for the holiday season (2016)
After years of work, the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, Lobster Films, and Arte have managed to restore all the silent short films (except one) by one of the pillars of comedy: Buster Keaton.
In addition to a DVD box set release and upcoming broadcast on Arte, it is possible to see the short films, presented as cine-concerts, on the big screen at the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation from December 19 to January 5, 2016. Each screening will also be accompanied by a pianist from Jean-François Zygel’s improvisation class, who will play live in the room. This is a dream opportunity to (re)discover the undefinable talent of the man who was said to never smile, yet still makes everyone smile and laugh out loud.
Cine-Concerts Buster Keaton
From December 19, 2015 to January 5, 2016
Pricing: normal €6.50 / reduced (students, seniors 65+) €5 / 1 ticket grants access to 1 film screening + exhibition spaces
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
