Élysées Lincoln: the cinematic icon shines once more in Paris
In the heart of Paris’s 8th arrondissement, just steps away from the iconic Champs-Élysées, one of the city’s most emblematic cinema venues rises once again: Élysées Lincoln. After an extended period of renovation culminating in October 2025, this historic art et essai independent cinema has reopened its doors with an ambitious transformation project that fuses nostalgia, contemporary comfort and a unique cinematic experience.
Its return is not simply the reopening of another theatre — it represents the resilience and renewal of independent cinema in a district that, for decades, was the beating heart of France’s seventh art, yet had witnessed the disappearance of many of its classic theatres.
A historic cinema looking to the future: origins and legacy
Élysées Lincoln first opened in 1969, founded by Boris Gourevitch and Jean-Paul Thirriot, at a time when the Champs-Élysées was a true cinematic boulevard, home to numerous theatres dedicated to auteur cinema, avant-garde films, and art et essai.
Over more than five decades, this cinema has accompanied generations of Parisians and visitors alike — screening everything from timeless classics to the most daring titles in international cinema. Its programming has never followed mainstream spectacle, instead championing eclectic, high-quality selections that have earned it a distinct prestige within Parisian film culture.
Over time, market pressures, rising rents and changing cultural habits led to the closure of many cinemas in the area. Yet Élysées Lincoln endured, adapting to the times and keeping the flame of auteur cinema alive — right next to the city’s most famous avenue.
The grand renovation: design, comfort and technology
After nine months of work, Élysées Lincoln reopened on 1st October this year, transformed into a modern venue that retains its traditional charm.
The renovation, driven by the Merle family — now in their fourth generation managing Multiciné (the group behind other iconic venues like Les 7 Parnassiens and Les 5 Caumartin) — has redefined the cinematic experience for today’s audiences.
Interiors with vintage soul and contemporary comfort
The new design combines classic elements — geometric-patterned carpets, wood panelling, retro-style lighting — with cutting-edge acoustic and projection technology.
Its aesthetic draws inspiration from the 1960s and 70s, evoking the golden era of classic Parisian cinema, but is now enhanced with immersive surround sound systems and state-of-the-art 4K projection.
The result is a perfectly balanced atmosphere: warm, nostalgic and sensorially rich, offering audiences a complete cinematic experience.
Three unique and versatile screens
Élysées Lincoln now features three distinctive and fully renovated screens:
Audito: maintaining its original capacity, this space is designed for deep immersion in classic and auteur cinema.
Studio: a more intimate screening room with spacious seating and a cosy atmosphere.
Club: a flexible space ideal for private events, seminars and special screenings, featuring extra-wide seats or standing room for up to 200 people.
This versatility positions Lincoln not only as a place to watch films, but as a cultural venue capable of hosting music, professional gatherings and film festivals.
Curated programming and cultural diversity
The reopening launched with a programme that reaffirms the venue’s artistic and intellectual spirit.
The first film screened was “A Simple Accident” by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — underlining Lincoln’s dedication to international cinematic excellence.
Alongside weekly screenings, the cinema maintains its tradition of cinéma d’art et d’essai, offering a mix of new auteur releases, classics, documentaries and themed retrospectives — appealing to cinephiles and new generations alike.
Thanks to its strategic location, Lincoln also plays an active role in events such as the Champs-Élysées Film Festival, which each year celebrates international cinema in Paris with premieres, awards and encounters with directors and actors.
The return of a passionate, family-run cinema
Unlike the large cinema chains, Élysées Lincoln preserves the independent, family-run spirit that defines it. Under the stewardship of the Merle family, their passion for film history is evident in every detail — from film selection to the viewer experience.
In an era when many historic theatres have either disappeared or become commercial multiplexes, Lincoln stands as a cultural beacon — committed to artistic quality, diversity and meaningful cinematic engagement, far from the noise of mass entertainment.
Cinema, community and culture: a model with a future
The reopening of Élysées Lincoln is more than a physical return — it is the reaffirmation of a cinematic philosophy that values audience experience, curated programming and the bond between film and local community.
The numbers speak for themselves: more accessible pricing than major chains, screenings in original version, Q&As with directors, and themed cycles that invite dialogue and reflection.
This commitment to living culture makes Lincoln not just a cinema, but a meeting place for film lovers — a convergence point for history, contemporary art and shared experience.
Long live Élysées Lincoln!
(*) Images courtesy of Élysées Lincoln.
