Studio Molière. A Living Space Steeped in History
The Studio Molière is part of the Lycée Français de Vienne (LFV). It was renovated and opened to the public in spring 2019. The students of the LFV are the primary beneficiaries of the facility, with numerous performances and screenings.
Above all, Studio Molière is a vibrant space, open to everyone, at the crossroads of French culture and Viennese life. It is a place for meeting and integration, where professionals and amateurs share the same stage—sometimes making it hard to tell who is who. Perhaps this is what makes it a French theater in Vienna!
The venue hosts a variety of projects:
- Educational projects led by LFV teachers with LFV students, or by the students themselves,
- Exhibitions, screenings, and live performances (dance, theater, music, etc.) offered by external cultural partners,
- Corporate seminars and conferences.
More historical and technical information about the Studio Molière
Studio Molière. A Living Space Steeped in History
Nestled in Vienna’s 9th district, Studio Molière is more than just a performance hall—it’s a place where history breathes from every corner.
It all began with the sound of hooves: the walls first housed the Dietrichsteinschen riding school (linked to the Clam-Gallas Palace). In the 1920s, the space was reinvented as the "Fliegerkino," during a time when the film industry was booming. It already captivated audiences with open-air screenings in the gardens of the Clam-Gallas Palace. The era of talking films arrived triumphantly in 1930. However, history has its dark moments: in 1938, the cinema was seized from the Körner family as part of the tragic Nazi Aryanization policies.
After the war, it was revived by Sascha Filmproduktion, which managed several cinemas, including Maria Theresien Kino, Löwen Kino, Kino Wienzeile, and Fliegerkino. In 1971, it underwent another transformation, becoming a theater and being attached to the Institut Français—thus becoming the Studio Molière we know today (the current stage dates from this period). It was bequeathed to the Lycée Français in the 2000s.
Partially renovated between 2013 and 2019, the venue was modernized while preserving its soul. Its large Gothic arched windows in the foyer bring in light worthy of the greatest cinematic masterpieces.
Seating Capacity
Today, the performance hall has a capacity of 242 fully accessible seats, with no barriers. The newly renovated stage, 10 meters deep and 10 meters wide, hosts a rich and eclectic program: theater, dance, concerts, conferences, cinema, and multicultural events, with productions representing around ten nationalities.
Studio Molière is a theater, concert, and cinema hall equipped with sound and lighting systems.
Description:
- 242 seats, including 4 wheelchair spaces
- A stage of 7 x 7.6 meters (9.08 x 7.6 meters with removable stage elements)
- 2 cinema screens
- A Christie 4K digital projector, Dolby 7.1
- 2 dressing rooms with toilets and showers
- Basic catering infrastructure
- A meeting room
- A large exhibition foyer (23.5m x 7.5m)
Studio Molière has an independent entrance on Liechtensteinstrasse, allowing the separation of educational activities from other events, especially during health crises.
During rentals, the measures issued by the Austrian government must be applied, including those for catering if snacks are sold or distributed.
Rental Rates from the Stage Manager
Since 2022, stage manager M. Duhau has continued to bring the venue to life with passion. Between school projects, private productions, and the Institut Français, modernization is intensifying: digital consoles, projectors, live video—the list is long and continues to grow. The hall is now characterized by its versatility. In the morning, you might find the school’s web radio; in the afternoon, a dance company rehearsal; and in the evening, a screening by the Institut Français.
Jean-Baptiste DUHAU
Studio Molière
Liechtensteinstrasse 37a
A 1090 Wien — Austria
Email: studiomoliere@lyceefrancais.at
Tel.: +43 (0) 660 735 77 97
