It was an event for the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) to receive in 2023 the archives of the{10 } Théâtre du Rond-Point covering the 21 years of direction of Jean-Michel Ribes, as well as his personal archives, bringing together his career as an author, director and director since his beginnings in the 1960s. An exceptional donation which served as the basis for this free exhibition, displayed in the Donors' Gallery, and celebrating the artistic trajectory of this great figure of theater and cinema.
A true artistic jack-of-all-trades, Jean-Michel Ribes has left his mark on the world of French entertainment. An actor above all, he founded his first troupe in the 1960s, advocating a subversive fantasy and an unbridled imagination which quickly captivated the public. His career then led him to direct iconic films and television series, including the famous “Merci Bernard” and “Palace”. But nothing can eclipse that it was his 21-year tenure as director of the Théâtre du Rond-Point that truly established Ribes as a major figure in the French cultural landscape.

The close artistic collaboration he maintained with personalities such as Gérard Garouste, Roland Topor{ 30} and many other artists have shaped a singular theatrical universe, imbued with a unique creative energy. Ribes also engaged in bold literary exploration, openly claiming influence from movements such as Dada and Oulipo as well as authors like Roland Dubillard and Raymond Queneau.

The exhibition offers a moving journey through the functioning of the bustling Théâtre du Rond-Point, highlighting a precious selection of notebooks, unpublished manuscripts, drawings, photographs, posters and original set models and costumes, as well as video clips. It invites visitors to delve into the heart of the creative richness of Jean-Michel Ribes' work since its beginnings, offering an immersive retrospective of his artistic journey.
The exhibition “Jean-Michel Ribes: A side step” is a living celebration of the work of a man who dedicated his life to art in all its forms, a vibrant tribute to a visionary whose impact on French culture will endure throughout generations.