Grandes-Carrières in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe

L’Hippo-Palace

— Histoire de Paris —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2025

1. L’Hippo-Palace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Inauguré le 13 mai 1900 avec un grand spectacle équestre, "Vercingétorix", qui réunit 200 artistes, 50 chevaux et 6 éléphants, l'Hippodrome est une salle polyvalente après les courses de chevaux, les matches de football et les concours de patinage, ses cinq mille spectateurs peuvent ainsi découvrir les projections cinématographiques. Cette vocation l'emporte en 1908: il devient l'Hippo-Palace, officiellement transformé le 27 septembre 1911 par Léon Gaumont en temple parisien du cinéma, sous le nom d'Hippodrome-Gaumont-Palace. Erik Satie y crée en 1917 "Parade", le premier spectacle "cubiste", avec des décors et des costumes de Picasso. Victime de son gigantisme, il disparaît en 1973; remontées au pavillon Baltard, seules les grandes orgues, échappent à la démolition.

(English translation:)
Inaugurated on May 13, 1900 with a grand equestrian show, "Vercingétorix," which brought together 200 artists, 50 horses and 6 elephants, the Hippodrome was a multipurpose venue after horse races, football matches and skating competitions, its five thousand spectators could thus discover film screenings.

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This usage prevailed in 1908: it became the Hippo-Palace, officially transformed on September 27, 1911 by Léon Gaumont into a Parisian temple of cinema, under the name Hippodrome-Gaumont-Palace. Erik Satie created "Parade" there in 1917, the first "Cubist" show, with sets and costumes by Picasso. A victim of its enormous size, it disappeared in 1973; reassembled in the Baltard pavilion, only the great organ escaped demolition.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 13, 1900.

Location. 48° 53.1′ N, 2° 19.77′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Grandes-Carrières. It is on Rue Forest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Rue Forest, Paris, Île-de-France 75018, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony

and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Le Gaumont-Palace illuminé la nuit (here, next to this marker); Le boulevard de Clichy sous le neige (within shouting distance of this marker); Le cimetiere Montmartre (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Cimetière Montmartre (1825) (about 120 meters away); Lycee Jules Ferry Deported Jewish Students Memorial

L’Hippo-Palace Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2025

2. L’Hippo-Palace Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here on the left corner of the building.

(about 120 meters away); Monument à la mémoire de Moncey (about 210 meters away); La défense de la Barrière de Clichy (about 240 meters away); Bernard-Marie Koltès (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . . Hippodrome de Montmartre (Wikipedia, in French). Overview (in translation):

The Hippodrome de Montmartre, or sometimes de Clichy, was a vast performance hall built in Paris, between the Place de Clichy and the Montmartre cemetery, initially for the 1900 World's Fair, then to replace the Hippodrome du Champ-de-Mars…

Converted into a cinema in 1911, the Hippodrome de Montmartre became the Gaumont-Palace, the largest cinema in the world. Renovated in 1931 and modified, it was given a new Art Deco-style façade. It was demolished in 1973 to make way for a Castorama store and a Mercure hotel.

(Submitted on April 14, 2025.)

Additional keywords. panneau

L’Hippo-Palace or Hippodrome image. Click for full size.

circa 1907

3. L’Hippo-Palace or Hippodrome

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.