A glittery crowd awaits. It is opening night at Le Palace. March 1st, 1978 is the date. Right here stood Grace Jones atop a pink Harley Davidson. She sang “La Vie en Rose.” Dry ice swirled around her. Red roses shone brightly. Disco arrived in Paris that night.
Le Palace stands at 8 Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre. It is in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. This building has a rich history. It was constructed in the 17th century. Before becoming a nightclub, it was a theater and dance hall.
Fabrice Emaer transformed Le Palace in 1978. He was an impresario. He wanted to rival Studio 54 in New York. Intellectuals flocked here. Actors, designers and artists came. Models and jet setters filled the club. DJ Guy Cuevas played flamboyant music. Emaer mixed rich and poor. He mixed gay and straight and black and white people. This rule-breaking made Le Palace special.
Before Le Palace, Emaer ran Le Pimm’s. It was a premier gay club. Later, he opened Le Sept. It was a disco epicenter. Cuevas introduced Paris to Disco and Funk music. Emaer mixed the “jet set” with everyday people. He included artists and intellectuals. Anyone with a striking look was welcome.
Emaer renovated Le Palace extensively. He restored the 1930s style. Painter Gérard Garouste handled the decoration. Elisabeth Garouste designed the furniture. Three laser shows wowed the crowd. Descending disco balls glittered. Sculptors created immersive installations. Dancers paused to watch the spectacle.
Waiters wore flamboyant red and gold. Thierry Mugler designed their costumes. Emaer carefully selected the music. New wave, disco and punk filled the air. Iggy Pop and Heldon played live concerts. Serge Gainsbourg released a live album. The Clash mentioned Le Palace in a song. Young David Guetta DJed here sometimes.
Paquita Paquin and others surveyed the door. They chose a diverse mix of people. Straight and gay mingled. Young and chic mixed with old and rich. Serge Gainsbourg visited often. So did Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol. Karl Lagerfeld threw a Venice-themed costume ball. Thousands attended in ornate attire.
After Emaer died in 1983, Le Palace changed hands. Jean-Claude Lacreze and others hosted house music parties. Leigh Bowery performed here. Gay Tea Dances occurred on Sunday afternoons.
In 1992, Régine took over. David and Cathy Guetta tried to revive it in 1994. They renovated it and renamed it Kitkat. The place closed in 1996. Squatters occupied it for years. In 2007, the Vardar brothers bought the hall. They reopened Le Palace as a theater in 2008. It now hosts comedy and musical shows.
Live music concerts were released. These include performances by Prince and Jane Birkin. Guy Cuevas released a DJ mix album in 2023. Electropop group Parcels recorded live albums here as well.
Le Palace is more than a club. It is a cultural experience. It blends theater, music and dance. It creates a unique atmosphere. It is a place sufficient unto itself. Le Palace remains a symbol of Parisian nightlife.