Les Misérables Come Home. Born in Paris in 1980 before triumphing on every continent, the musical by Schönberg and Boublil returns to the Châtelet Theatre in its French version.

It all began with a record. In 1980, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg recorded a concept album in Paris based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Two years later, British producer Cameron Mackintosh stumbled upon it, met the authors, and in 1985, in London, produced the English version, which would become one of the greatest successes in the history of the genre: nearly 500 cities, 27 languages, 130 million spectators according to the theatre's figures.

A French paradox: the work, born in Paris, had never truly been performed there. It wasn't until the 2024-2025 season that the Théâtre du Châtelet mounted a genuine French-language production, acclaimed with a Molière Award. Boublil revised the libretto, Schönberg reworked the score, and Ladislas Chollat opted for a minimalist staging, allowing the narrative and voices to dominate the stage.

The play follows Jean Valjean, a freed convict who has become a prominent citizen under an assumed name, pursued for twenty years by Inspector Javert; Fantine, a fallen factory worker who entrusts her daughter to him; and the generation of the 1832 barricades, who die in an uprising that no one joins. The great songs are here: I Had Dreamed, My Story, The Big Day, At the Will of the People. Musical direction by Alexandra Cravero, alternating with Charlotte Gauthier and Alizé Lehon.

Also featured in our our top shows to see in Paris.

THÉÂTRE DU CHÂTELET
1 place du Châtelet, 75001 Paris – Metro: Châtelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14)
From November 11, 2026 to January 10, 2027
Running time: 3 hours – English and French surtitles
Tickets: €12 to €129