The historic La Gaîté Lyrique, a renowned cultural venue in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement which prides itself on its progressive agenda, is facing financial ruin after opening its doors last month for a conference promoting open borders — only for the migrants who attended to refuse to leave and occupy the building ever since.
The theater was forced to shut down after the forced occupation on Dec. 10, when a group of approximately 250 migrants took over the building following an event entitled, ‘Reinventing the welcome for refugees in France.’
The occupation was organized by the activist group Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville, and the number of squatters has since swelled to over 300.
It has led to the cancellation or relocation of all scheduled events until Jan. 24 at the earliest, causing significant financial strain on the theater.
As reported by Le Figaro, previous events at the leftist venue have included debates such as “Migration: What about them?,” “Migration, an opportunity for France?,” and “collective and fun workshops” to hear first-hand accounts as migrants “retrace their migratory journeys from their country of origin to France.”
🚨🇫🇷 The French liberal theater, Gaîté Lyrique, is now facing bankruptcy after housing over 250 African migrants last month… who still refuse to leave.
Thoughts? ⬇️ 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PMH0EIlJWY
— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) January 14, 2025The closure has resulted in what theater management describes as “heavy operating losses,” threatening the economic viability of an institution that relies on ticket sales for 70 percent of its revenue, with the remaining 30 percent coming from city subsidies. Losses are estimated to run into hundreds of thousands of euros, and the establishment is struggling to pay its 60 employees.
The occupation has also impacted the surrounding neighborhood. Elia, the manager of a nearby bistro, told The Times she had lost around €30,000 in revenue, blaming the occupation for scaring away customers.
“They are ruining my business. They hang around outside my terrace, smoking joints and fighting among themselves. Not only do we no longer get theatregoers because the theatre is shut but we don’t get passers-by either. They’re being frightened away by all these young men.”
The migrants claim to be unaccompanied minors, which under French law would entitle them to housing and support from child welfare services. However, local authorities have challenged their claims, asserting that most are adults. Age tests, which the activists have criticized as “racist and expeditive,” have reportedly verified that many do not qualify as minors. The prefecture has labeled the occupation “illegal,” though no eviction order has been issued.
Manifestation de sans papiers à la Gaité Lyrique. pic.twitter.com/WLWQ5LlfNa
— Le_patriote13 (@Le_Patoff) January 11, 2025Le Figaro reported that the majority of those occupying the establishment have been recognized by the Parisian social services as adults.
Despite facing financial ruin, La Gaîté Lyrique’s management has taken a compassionate stance, calling it “unthinkable” to evict the group in the middle of winter. The theater emphasized the urgency of finding “dignified and lasting accommodation solutions” for the migrants, although accepted that the occupation had been forced.
The situation has sparked a political standoff between the City of Paris and the French state. Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s administration has urged the state to provide social housing for the migrants while refusing to authorize an eviction. The state, in turn, insists that support services are available and that vulnerable individuals should contact local social services rather than occupy public spaces.
The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville shows no sign of leaving, framing the occupation as part of their broader “antiracist and anticolonial struggle,” leaving the future of the establishment in the balance.
