Theatre · France · Still standing

Grand Guignol

The Théâtre du Grand-Guignol was a small Parisian theatre at 7, cité Chaptal, founded in 1897 and famous for short horror plays and realistic special effects. The compact venue occupied a converted chapel and seated roughly 280–293 people in a narrow auditorium with enclosed boxes and a low balcony. The building survives and today houses the International Visual Theatre.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1897

Its prime

1920

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1920

What Grand Guignol looked like in its prime.

Housed in a narrow former chapel, the Grand-Guignol presents an intimate theatre interior: a low proscenium and shallow stage face a tight single-aisle auditorium of about 280–293 green-upholstered seats. A shallow balcony spans the room with small enclosed boxes beneath that resemble confessionals; carved angel figures sit over the orchestra. Walls show dark, heavy timber fittings and scattered gothic decorative elements; the stage area is compact with visible wings, simple scenic flats and small-scale stage machinery.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1920.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Grand Guignol, including 6 interiors: foyer and ticket entrance, auditorium seen from the back, orchestra area with carved angels and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Exterior approach on Cité ChaptalFoyer and ticket entranceAuditorium seen from the backOrchestra area with carved angelsBalcony front and confessional-like boxesInside a private box (confessional)Stage apron and wings

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