Cité du cinéma de Saint-Denis history

The Cité du cinéma de Saint-Denis, a large industrial site built with public funds, has a complicated history involving claims of misuse of public money and political influence. Located in a former thermal power plant in Saint-Denis, the complex was inaugurated in September 2012, but the then Minister of Culture, Aurélie Filippetti, did not attend.

Cost and original purpose

The site, which cost nearly 170 million euros according to franceinfo or 160 million euros according to Variety in 2012, was intended by film director Luc Besson to be a hub for film production. However, the vision of a "Hollywood-sur-Seine" was never fully realized.

Origins and transformation

The site was originally ordered in 1933 to supply the Paris metro and was later converted into the largest studio complex in France, designed to compete with renowned studios like Pinewood, Babelsberg, and Cinecittà. "The Smurfs 2" was filmed there for three weeks before the official opening, using the Paris Studios with nine soundstages.

Public-private partnership

The financial structure of the project involved a public-private partnership between the Caisse des Dépôts and the Vinci group. The Cité belongs to the company Nef Lumière, which is majority-owned by the Caisse des Dépôts, a state-owned entity. EuropaCorp, Besson's company, was only a tenant of the Cité du cinéma.

Allegations and legal action

In November 2013, Le Parisien revealed a confidential note from the Cour des comptes, suggesting that the financing and implementation of the project could indicate misuse of public funds and complicity. The document was sent to the justice system and placed on the desk of the Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira. The financial judges noted that public funding, decided by a few high-level officials, may have benefited a private company, and questioned the general nature of the project.

EuropaCorp's response

EuropaCorp expressed surprise and indignation at the report, stating it had no knowledge of any such investigation and had not been questioned. The company defended the project as a matter of general interest for the Seine-Saint-Denis and nationally. The Paris prosecutor's office then opened a preliminary investigation, entrusted to the Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offenses.

Site repurposed

Due to lack of profitability, EuropaCorp eventually left the premises. The large industrial space, surrounded by brand new buildings, served as a cafeteria for athletes during the 2024 Olympics. It is now at the heart of the new Olympic village neighborhood. The city hall's position is one of returning the site to the public.

New operator and plans

On February 5, 2025, a new operator, Seine & Watts, unveiled its project. The company operates 12,000 square meters for 10 years and aims to attract around 300,000 visitors per year through major exhibitions. Its president, Didier Goubaud, is looking for exhibitions that use cinema technologies or are built around cinema and audiovisual. The program also includes corporate events, a cinema hall with 450 seats, and a restaurant that can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

Reopening and events

According to Paris je t'aime, the site reopened to the public in May 2026. An opening weekend took place on September 19 and 20 during the Heritage Days, with visits, concerts, demonstrations of dubbing, stunts, and makeup. The programming revolves around four areas: cinema, performing arts, music, and media. Access, however, depends on each event. The calendar is already filling up, with the Michel Gondry Amateur Film Factory starting on November 30, 2026. The large screening room with 437 seats, a 17-meter-wide screen, and 4K projection opens to the public in October 2026. It offers from the opening a programming mixing cinema and opera, with thematic weekends and children's films. The capacity differs from that announced in 2025 (450 seats), a discrepancy that only the L'Officiel des spectacles sheet can confirm.