Discover the fascinating history and current renaissance of La Pagode, a legendary temple of art house cinema in the heart of Paris.

La Pagode—an emblem of Japanism in Paris—was built in 1896, commissioned by François-Emile Morin as a token of love and an extravagant gift to his wife, who adored Japanese culture. Originally a venue for sumptuous parties, it was fashioned into a cinema in the 1930s. Daring projections of avant-garde films were held within the refined interiors of this exceptional setting that included its own tearoom.

Today, under the aegis of an American aficionado of New Wave cinema, following extensive and meticulous renovation work, La Pagode has been restored to its former beauty and is once again a cultural paragon, shimmering in the bright lights of the silver screen. This English-French bilingual edition includes a red-stitched binding and an embossed cover that evokes a vintage film poster.

About The Author

Documentary filmmaker Émilie Lançon is a historian and journalist; she previously worked on the news and magazine editorial teams at France Télévisions.