L’Etoile Voltaire: The 11th Arrondissement’s Most Anticipated Cultural Revolution
Ten years in the making, with numerous delays, legal battles, and pandemic setbacks, L’Etoile Voltaire is finally set to open in 2026. And honestly? It might just be worth the wait.
This isn’t just another cinema opening in Paris. This is a complete reimagining of what a neighborhood cultural space can be – housed inside a stunning early 20th-century electrical substation that’s about to get the transformation of a lifetime.
From Power Station to Cultural Powerhouse
The story begins with the Voltaire electrical substation at 14 Avenue Parmentier, built in 1908 as one of 36 substations constructed between 1900 and the outbreak of World War II to adapt Paris to rapidly evolving electrical needs. This industrial gem, with its riveted iron structure and glass façade, has been sitting unused, waiting for its second act.
Enter the “Réinventer Paris” competition in 2016, where Etoile Cinemas and their dream team won the most competitive site in the entire competition. After years of legal challenges from neighbors and administrative hurdles, the project is finally moving forward.
The All-Star Lineup
This isn’t your typical multiplex venture. The team reads like a who’s who of Parisian cultural innovation:
Etoile Cinemas brings its expertise from running beloved Paris venues like Le Balzac on the Champs-Élysées and L’Étoile-Lilas.
La Bellevilloise will program the main hall with its signature eclectic cultural programming.
Société des Réalisateurs de Films (the folks behind Cannes’ Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) will set up their headquarters here and curate film programming.
Thierry Marx will create a solidarity restaurant as an extension of his free culinary school “Cuisine Mode d’Emploi(s)” from the 20th arrondissement.
What You’ll Actually Find Inside
Five Cinema Screens: Art house meets popular cinema, with programming that mixes acclaimed directors with crowd-pleasers. Total capacity around 500 seats, including one panoramic screening room with views over Parisian rooftops.
Community Restaurant: Thierry Marx’s solidarity concept, where staff are hired through his free culinary training program, creating jobs while serving quality food.
Green Rooftop Terrace: A vegetalized terrace offering views over the 11th arrondissement, with free access for the community.
La Bellevilloise Hall: Ground-floor space for exhibitions, events, concerts, and community programming.
Cinema Education Hub: Master classes, workshops mixing professional filmmakers with neighborhood residents, and artist residencies.
The Neighborhood Revolution
What makes L’Etoile Voltaire special isn’t just what’s inside – it’s how it’s designed to integrate with the community. Everything except the actual cinema screens will be accessible “without barriers or tickets,” creating “a prolongation of the street.”
The location couldn’t be better: situated near Place de la République and the vibrant Oberkampf quarter, it’s perfectly positioned to become a cultural hub for an already dynamic neighborhood.
The Long Road to 2026
This project has been through more plot twists than a thriller film. Initially scheduled for 2018, then 2019, then 2021, then 2022… Let’s just say Parisians have learned to be patient with ambitious cultural projects.
The delays weren’t just bureaucratic – they included legal challenges from neighbors, administrative reviews, and yes, a global pandemic that shut down the entire cultural sector. But persistence pays off, and the team has managed to keep all their original partners on board through the marathon process.
Why This Matters
L’Etoile Voltaire represents something bigger than just another entertainment venue. It’s a model for how cultural spaces can serve their communities while preserving architectural heritage. The project preserves the industrial building’s character while making it completely reversible – respecting the historic structure while allowing for future evolution.
As David Henochsberg, director of Etoile Cinemas, explains: “This will be a neighborhood art house cinema, not a multiplex. We want a unifying and popular project.”
The Bottom Line
In a city where cultural venues too often cater to tourists over locals, L’Etoile Voltaire promises something different: a space that’s both professionally programmed and genuinely community-focused. Five cinema screens, world-class food, free educational programming, and a rooftop garden – all in a gorgeous restored industrial building.
After a decade of anticipation, the 11th arrondissement is about to get its most exciting cultural addition. The only question now is whether the final opening will actually stick to 2026, or if Parisians will need to practice their patience just a little bit longer.
One thing’s certain: when L’Etoile Voltaire finally opens its doors, it’s going to be worth the incredibly long wait.
L’Etoile Voltaire
Address: 14 Avenue Parmentier, 75011 Paris
Nearest Metro: Voltaire (Line 9)
Expected Opening: 2026
Highlights: 5 cinema screens, Thierry Marx restaurant, green rooftop terrace, La Bellevilloise programming
