French photographer Dimitri Bourriau has released a stunning new book titled "Théâtres Parisiens – Lieux d'exception," published by Éditions Jonglez, that documents approximately fifty of Paris's most iconic theaters, cinemas, and performance venues. The 225 x 290 mm volume, priced at 39.95 euros, showcases architectural photography that reveals the rich cultural heritage embedded in these spaces. Each image captures the unique atmosphere between silence and light, highlighting sculpted balconies, heavy velvet curtains, frescoes, gold leaf details, and monumental chandeliers. The book is available through major retailers including Amazon, Fnac, and independent bookstores throughout France.
The project began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when global lockdowns and closed borders forced Bourriau to postpone his travel plans. Confronted with abandoned spaces and a world moving in slow motion, he decided to construct a new artistic direction focused on documenting Parisian cultural institutions. While abandonment is not always central to his images, memory of places remains central to his artistic vision. This series allowed him to explore venues dedicated to emotion, dreams, and the staging of world narratives, creating a visual archive during a period when these temples of living art stood empty.
Bourriau's photographs reveal the exceptional architectural diversity of Parisian performance spaces, from the opulent Palais Garnier to intimate art house cinemas. His compositions emphasize how these venues serve as containers for cultural memory, bearing the weight of time and exceptional historical traces. The images document not only physical structures but also a certain idea of refinement, artistic sharing, and beauty that defines French cultural identity. Through careful lighting and perspective, he captures the dialogue between ornate decoration and functional design that characterizes these spaces.
The photographer describes his work as a way of keeping memory alive, documenting not just locations but the essence of artistic transmission. His approach balances documentary precision with atmospheric interpretation, allowing viewers to sense the ghostly presence of past performances. Bourriau's images pay homage to the countless individuals who work behind the scenes or under spotlights to create daily magic. The book serves as both a historical record and an artistic meditation on the role of performance spaces in society.
Éditions Jonglez, known for publishing guides to hidden and exceptional places, provides a fitting platform for this comprehensive visual study. The book's ISBN 978-2-36195-948-7 ensures its accessibility to libraries and collectors worldwide. Bourriau's work extends beyond the printed page through his studio Jahz Design, which maintains an active Instagram presence and website showcasing his broader portfolio. The publication arrives at a crucial moment as these venues rebuild audiences post-pandemic.
This photographic collection offers a permanent testament to Paris's theatrical heritage at a time when many historic venues face modernization pressures and financial challenges. Bourriau's project aligns with broader efforts to preserve cultural infrastructure through visual documentation. The book invites readers to reconsider these familiar landmarks as sacred spaces where collective imagination takes flight. As Paris continues to evolve, "Théâtres Parisiens" ensures that the architectural soul of its performance culture remains vividly preserved for future generations.
