La Gaîté Lyrique to Fully Reopen on January 13, 2026 after Prolonged Occupation

The Gaîté Lyrique, a prominent cultural venue in Paris' 3rd arrondissement, will fully reopen to the public on January 13, 2026, following months of closure resulting from the occupation by homeless youth migrants. From December 2024 to March 18, 2025, over 450 homeless youths took refuge inside the venue, awaiting housing solutions. This prolonged occupation caused significant disruptions, leading to hundreds of thousands of euros in financial losses for the establishment due to the cancellation of both private and public events.

The occupation ended when police intervened on March 18, 2025, citing severe public health and safety risks, including lack of water access and ongoing public order disturbances. Police prefect Laurent Nuñez highlighted these health concerns as justification for the expulsion.

Juliette Donadieu, Gaîté Lyrique's general director, expressed understanding for the young occupiers but stressed the heavy economic toll on the institution. Since June 2025, the venue has gradually resumed activities such as concerts and festivals, propelled by a collective solidarity effort and support from the City of Paris and other stakeholders to restore its economic and cultural vitality.

David Robert, the venue's spokesperson, underscored the urgency of finding immediate housing solutions for the migrants to prevent similar future crises. As the Gaîté Lyrique reopens, it aims to revitalize its cultural projects in 2026 while remaining attentive to the social challenges revealed by this episode.