Notre-Dame de Paris at Opéra Bastille

You’ve surely read Victor Hugo’s famous novel, and perhaps you’ve even seen the well-known musical based on it… but have you ever seen Notre-Dame de Paris as a ballet?

This December, the Opéra Bastille offers you this gift (could one dream of more!) by presenting Roland Petit's celebrated ballet, in two acts and thirteen scenes, set to the haunting music of Maurice Jarre. Premiered in 1965, this first choreography by Roland Petit for the Paris Opera marked the history of dance with its modernity and expressive power.

Powerfully transposing Hugo’s masterpiece, the ballet follows the tragic fate of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral, who falls in love with the beautiful Esmeralda. Between impossible love, jealousy, and destructive desire, Roland Petit explores the deepest human passions. His expressive and narrative choreography brings the story to life, enhanced by Esmeralda’s sensuality, Quasimodo’s pain, and the dark obsession of Frollo.

Among the standout scenes: the courtroom sequence where Esmeralda is unjustly condemned, and the heart-wrenching moment of her execution. Each tableau is magnified by Maurice Jarre’s dramatic and lyrical score, René Allio’s imposing sets, and costumes by Yves Saint Laurent, which ground the work in an aesthetic both dark and sumptuous.

Notre-Dame de Paris is an unforgettable ballet, blending tragedy, passion, and humanity—a masterpiece to rediscover live on stage.

Roland Petit's Notre-Dame de Paris is not merely a tribute to Hugo’s novel; it is a masterpiece of narrative ballet, a concentration of raw emotion brought to life by striking aesthetics and a choreography of rare modernity. An unmissable event to (re)discover this winter!

See details for our premium option below!

Notre-Dame de Paris, Victor Hugo’s masterpiece published in 1831, is set in the 15th century, in medieval Paris dominated by the imposing silhouette of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The novel weaves a powerful tapestry of passion, fate, and social critique through the intertwined destinies of several iconic characters.

At the heart of the story is Esmeralda, a young gypsy woman of great beauty and a kind heart, who captures the hearts of three very different men: Quasimodo, the hunchbacked and deformed bell-ringer of Notre-Dame; Frollo, the archdeacon tormented by desire; and Phoebus, a superficial and selfish captain of the archers. Each, in their own way, loves Esmeralda—but all ultimately lead her to her doom.

Among the novel’s most powerful moments is the moving scene where Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from the gallows and gives her sanctuary in the cathedral, shouting the famous word “Sanctuary!”. This act marks the beginning of a silent, protective love, full of tenderness and devotion. In contrast, Phoebus’s betrayal and Frollo’s descent into destructive madness heighten the novel’s tension and tragedy.

The heartrending final scene sees Esmeralda executed, despite Quasimodo’s desperate attempts to save her. Devastated, he kills Frollo and then disappears, later dying beside the body of the woman he never stopped loving.

Through this tragic tale, Hugo paints a vivid portrait of his society, condemning injustice, intolerance, and the cruelty of social norms. He also offers a moving tribute to inner beauty, embodied by Quasimodo, and to absolute love—stronger even than death.

Notre-Dame de Paris remains a timeless work, whose themes still resonate powerfully today.
Check out this masterpiece at the Opéra Bastille choreographed by Roland Petit who has constructed a colourful fresco.

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose the following offer at the time of booking:
 

• Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
• Indulge in the premium opera experience! Elevate your evening with our exclusive package, available even after standard ticket sales have closed. With this premium option, relish a glass of champagne, receive a show programme, and enjoy privileged access to the Opéra Bastille's Salon Berlioz — an intimate space reserved for our premium guests.
• Please note, this special package is exclusively offered through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association. Don't miss the chance to make your opera night truly exceptional.