Zénith de Paris, a popular Parisian concert hall
The Zénith de Paris is located in the heart of the Parc de la Villette. This iconic concert hall blends seamlessly into the park’s contemporary architecture. Its striking red silhouette indeed contrasts with the lush vegetation, making it a prominent landmark.
Despite its seemingly modest size, the Zénith boasts an impressive capacity of 6,238 seats. Primarily dedicated to rock and popular music concerts, as well as meetings and conferences, this contemporary venue features a lightweight metal structure that is easily dismantled and adjusted to various configurations. Commissioned in 1983 by Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, the Zénith de Paris was designed by architects Philippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel. It replaced the Pavillon de Paris, a larger concert hall dating to the 1970s.
Since its inauguration on January 12, 1984, the Zénith de Paris has hosted concerts by legendary international artists of the late 20th century, including David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Supertramp, Neil Young, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The Zénith de Paris was initially slated for demolition three years after its construction; however, its resounding success ensured its preservation. This success also led to the construction of 16 other Zénith venues across France. The name “Zénith” pays homage to the historic hot air balloon Le Zénith, which set flight duration records in 1875 after taking off from the La Villette gasworks.
Today, the Zénith brand is jointly owned by the Coker company and the Ministry of Culture.
The Zénith de Paris, situated within Parc de la Villette, stands as a beloved concert hall amidst the park’s distinctive contemporary structures. Its vibrant red silhouette contrasts against the lush greenery, making it an unmistakable landmark.
Directions:19th district
Metro: Porte de Pantin, Corentin Cariou, Porte de la Villette on Line 5, 7
Coordinates: Lat 48.893849 – Long 2.390260
