Editing Olympia (Paris) (section)

==History==
===Origins===
In 1880, the entrepreneur [[Joseph Oller]] purchased grounds and converted them into a [[horse racing]] venue.<ref name="Pessis2003">{{cite book |last1=Pessis |first1=jacques |last2=Crépineau |first2=Jacques |title=Le Moulin Rouge |year=2003 |url=https://excerpts.numilog.com/books/9791036906886.pdf |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=[[La Martinière Groupe]] |pages=12–13 |isbn=978-2-7324-2913-7 }}</ref> In 1882, he created innovative mechanisms to interact the exit of the horses with the distribution of tickets.<ref name="Pessis2003"/>

In 1888, with the money earned from these investments,<ref name="Pessis2003"/> he imported a [[wooden roller coaster]] from England.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=293}} In the same year, Oller collaborated with [[Charles Zidler]] to build the roller coaster in the courtyard on 28 Boulevard des Capucines in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, near the [[Palais Garnier|Opéra Garnier]], at the time of [[Georges-Eugène Haussmann|Baron Haussmann]]'s [[Haussmann's renovation of Paris|urban renovation]].<ref name="Benabs2019">{{cite news |last=Benabs |first=Ana |date=12 April 2019 |title=L'Olympia... |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/20190411-paris-olympia-anniversaire-126-ans-concert-musique-spectacle |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[France 24]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210516211626/https://www.france24.com/fr/20190411-paris-olympia-anniversaire-126-ans-concert-musique-spectacle |archive-date=16 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Thierry |first=Gaston |date=June 1930 |title=L'Olympia, hier et aujourd'hui |trans-title=L'Olympa, yesterday and today |url=https://www.la-belle-equipe.fr/2015/06/12/lolympia-salle-de-cinema-cinemagazine-1930/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Cinémagazine]] |language=fr |issue=6 |pages=64–65 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506103949/https://www.la-belle-equipe.fr/2015/06/12/lolympia-salle-de-cinema-cinemagazine-1930/ |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021 |via=[[Ciné-Ressources]] and [[Cinémathèque Française]] |quote=See: last part of the page. }}</ref><ref name=":15">{{cite web |url=https://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/evenements/expositions/archives/presentation-detaillee/browse/14/article/les-memoires-de-lolympia-6747.html?S=&cHash=226eb1e56d&print=1&no_cache=1& |title=Les mémoires de l'Olympia |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1999 |department=Archive |website=[[Musée d'Orsay]] |others=Under the [[Ministry of Culture (France)|Ministry of Culture]] |place=Paris |language=fr |trans-title=Memories of Olympia |access-date=23 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523162955/https://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/evenements/expositions/archives/presentation-detaillee/browse/14/article/les-memoires-de-lolympia-6747.html?S=&cHash=226eb1e56d&print=1&no_cache=1& |archive-date=23 May 2021 }}</ref> Named the ''Montagnes Russes'', it would be considered one of the first wider [[amusement park]]s in history.<ref name="Pessis2003"/> In 1889, Oller and Zidler co-founded the [[Moulin Rouge]] in [[Quartier Pigalle|Pigalle]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Yon |first=Jean-Claude |date=2021 |orig-date=First published 2010 |title=Histoire culturelle de la France au XIXe siècle |trans-title=Cultural history of France in the 19th century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2sIrEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR3 |section=34 |language=fr |edition=2 |publisher=[[Armand Colin]] |location=Paris |isbn=978-2-2006-3246-5 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite book |last=Boukabou |first=Ruby |date=2021 |title=The Architecture Lover's Guide to Paris |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OP0hEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT237 |chapter=Entertainment Venues |language=en |publisher=White Owl |location=France |isbn=978-1-5267-7998-4 }}</ref>

In 1892, the [[Prefecture of Police|Prefect of Police]] feared a [[conflagration]] and ordered the ''Montagnes Russes''{{'}} closure and ban.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=293}}<ref name="Goldemberg">{{cite book |last=Goldemberg |first=Maryse |date=1997 |title=Guide du promeneur, 9e arrondissement − L'Olympia |url=https://www.paris-promeneurs.com/Patrimoine-ancien/L-Olympia |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=Parigramme |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210515210644/https://www.paris-promeneurs.com/Patrimoine-ancien/L-Olympia |archive-date=15 May 2021 |oclc=465695608 |via=Paris Promeneurs }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://monumentsdeparis.net/olympia |title=Olympia |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021 |website=Monuments de Paris |language=fr |access-date=15 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210515141927/http://monumentsdeparis.net/olympia |archive-date=15 May 2021 |type=Paris monuments travel guide }}</ref> It was then demolished.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=293}}<ref name=":12">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Patrimoine − L'Olympia... |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1992/12/22/patrimoine-l-olympia-entre-destruction-et-renovation-tous-sont-venus_3931106_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Monde]] |date=22 December 1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521192425/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1992/12/22/patrimoine-l-olympia-entre-destruction-et-renovation-tous-sont-venus_3931106_1819218.html |archive-date=21 May 2021 |access-date=21 May 2021 }}</ref> In that year, supervised by architect Léon Carle, a steel building foundation was constructed and erected in the same place.<ref name=":15"/> The interior fittings were conceived by decorators and painters [[Charles Toché]], Marcel Jambon, and Etienne Cornellier.<ref name=":15"/> It contained panels in [[Sarreguemines]]' [[faience]], and the [[mural]]s highlighted painting technique [[marouflage]], illustrating [[Castles in Great Britain and Ireland|English castles]] and [[landscape]]s, echoing the dominant popular style.<ref name=":15"/> The [[Baccarat (company)|Baccarat]] [[crystal]] glass company created the [[girandole]]s and [[chandelier]]s, while the electrical installation work was carried out by the company ''Eclairage Electrique''.<ref name=":15"/> Oller's primary intention was to propose a defining location of luxury and glamor in Paris.<ref name="Pessis2003"/>

===Opening and early years===
On 12 April 1893, the 2,000 capacity venue named L'Olympia was inaugurated as the first Parisian [[music hall]], featuring [[Acrobatics|acrobats]], [[Cross-dressing|cross-dressers]], and a [[can-can]] dance performance of [[La Goulue]].<ref name=":3">{{cite news |last=Pouplain |first=Catherine |date=30 December 2003 |title=L'Olympia: 50 ans ou 111 ans? |trans-title=The Olympia: 50 years or 111 years? |url=https://musique.rfi.fr/musique/20031230-lolympia-50-ans-111-ans |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Radio France Internationale]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210515161556/https://musique.rfi.fr/musique/20031230-lolympia-50-ans-111-ans%23artistique |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=15 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Benabs2019"/><ref name=":15"/> The Olympia's gala opening reception drew Paris' wealthiest, the aristocratic, and powerful people.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|pages=43, 44}} Admission was restricted to a chosen few, the prince–princess, [[baron]]–baroness, and [[count]].{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|pages=43, 44}} It also featured the [[Charles de Morny, Duke of Morny|Duke of Morny]] and figures from the sporting-club, [[Aristide Bruant|Le Mirliton]] [[cabaret]], and the [[Jockey-Club de Paris|jockey-club]] of the ''[[Rue Royale, Paris|rue Royale]]''.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|pages=43, 44}}

In a city that only had ''[[Café-chantant|cafés-concerts]]'', the Olympia with its spacious hall attracted all Parisians enjoying [[Ventriloquism|ventriloquists]], [[juggler]] acts, and numerous ballets and [[revue]]s.<ref name="Chapuis2004">{{cite news |last=Chapuis |first=Dominique |date=4 February 2004 |title=Pierre Philippe: Aujourd'hui, les maisons de disques font la loi |trans-title=Pierre Philippe: Today, record companies are the law |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2004/02/pierre-philippe-aujourdhui-les-maisons-de-disques-font-la-loi-629577 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210516183841/https://www.lesechos.fr/2004/02/pierre-philippe-aujourdhui-les-maisons-de-disques-font-la-loi-629577 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |access-date=16 May 2021 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The music hall staged [[operetta]]s and also [[pantomime]]s.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} [[Loie Fuller]], La Goulue, [[Leopoldo Fregoli]],<ref name="Goldemberg"/> [[Dranem]], Ouvrard, and [[Mistinguett]] were regularly billed at the venue.<ref name=":15"/> The Olympia was a "first-class theater", although it retained the colloquial atmosphere of the ''cafés-concerts'' in its large surface area divided into two themes, concert, and theater.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} To differentiate itself from the [[Folies Bergère]], the Olympia imposed itself a different scheduling system by presenting its new ballet creations over a duration of weeks rather than months, alternating with the oldest ones revamped.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} The ''[[ballet blanc]]'' was the first Olympia's ballet.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} The venue demonstrated the dominance of the [[Striptease#French tradition|striptease]] pantomime ''[[Le Coucher de la Mariée]]'', which became the "longest-running and most profitable show in the 1890s".{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} Along with the Folies Bergère, the Olympia scheduled appearances by some "stars" such as [[La Belle Otero]], [[Émilienne d'Alençon]], and [[Liane de Pougy]].{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}}

In 1895, Oller, overflowing with activities, opened a museum of [[wax]]'s [[mannequin]]s in the basements of the Olympia, representing a visual history of the world from the [[Passion of Jesus|Passion of Christ]] to the [[French Revolution]], until the modernity of that time.<ref name="Pessis2003"/>

However, in 1896, Oller found no more challenge in his multiple projects, and boredom took over.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=28}} He named [[Conducting|chief conductor]] Oscar de Lagoanaire as director of the music hall, which became a business failure.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cerdan |first=Francis |date=2020 |title=Hommage à Robert Jammes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NFzUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1203 |language=fr |publisher=Presses universitaires du Midi |location=[[Toulouse]] |page=1203 |isbn=978-2-8107-0814-7 |quote= See: first three sentences. }}</ref><ref name=":3"/> That same year, the screenings of the first films of the [[Auguste and Louis Lumière|Lumière brothers]] were scheduled, which were new technologies at that time.<ref name=":15"/>

===Development===
[[File:Méliès Vers les étoiles print.jpg|thumb|The Isola brothers commissioned cinema pioneer [[Georges Méliès]] to create a film component for the ballet production ''Vers les étoiles'', presented in 1906 at the Olympia. This [[Film still|production still]] has survived; the film is believed to be lost.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eofftv.com/vers-les-etoiles-1906/ |title=Vers les étoiles (1906)|last=Lyons |first=Kevin |date= |website=The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television |publisher= |access-date=December 30, 2024 |quote=}}</ref>]]
In 1898, brothers Émile and Vincent Isola, two [[Magic (illusion)|magicians]] who began a career as Paris' venue executive directors, became the commercial tenants of the Olympia, as well as of the most popular theaters in the city, such as the Folies Bergère in 1901 and the [[Théâtre de la Gaîté (rue Papin)|Gaîté-Lyrique]] in 1903.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=15 October 2014 |title=L'Olympia lève le rideau sur ses archives |trans-title=The Olympia lifts the curtain on its archives |url=https://magazine.interencheres.com/art-mobilier/lolympia-leve-le-rideau-sur-ses-archives/ |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Interencheres |location=[[La Baule-Escoublac]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210515182227/https://magazine.interencheres.com/art-mobilier/lolympia-leve-le-rideau-sur-ses-archives/ |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=15 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":3"/> The Isola brothers brought attractions from all over the world to Olympia, playing host to multiple entertainment types, and increased the proportion and the spectacular.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=29}} There were extravagant [[circus]]-themed parties with clowns, [[Contortion]]ists, and the inclusion of exotic singing and dancing.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=29}}<ref name=":3"/> The venue also featured acrobatic performances and wild animals such as [[Pinniped|seals]], monkeys, elephants, and zebras.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=29}} Furthermore, the French author [[Colette]] [[Mime artist|mimed]] entirely naked.<ref name=":3"/>

Ballets, pantomimes, and operettas became more prominent with larger productions, which led to the Olympia becoming a direct rival to the Opéra Garnier, notably with ballets as [[Charles Lecocq]]'s ''[[Bluebeard (ballet)|Barbe-bleue]]'' and [[Henri Hirschmann]]'s [[Néron (opera)|Néron]] in 1898, and [[Paul Vidal]]'s ''L'Impératrice'' in 1901.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=29}} Despite the success of the ballets attested by ''La Belle Aux Cheveux d'Or'' and [[Sardanapalo|Sardanapale]], the preferences of Émile and Vincent Isola settled firmly towards operettas, especially [[revue]]s.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=29}} Of the few ballets appearances, a limited number of restaged productions from [[Louis Ganne]] ensued at the Olympia, such as ''Au Japon'' in 1903, performed for the first time at London's [[Alhambra Theatre of Variety|Alhambra]].{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} ''[[Phryné (opera)|Phryné]]'' was restaged in 1904, initially performed at the Folies Bergère and at [[Royan]]'s Casino.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} The revues at the Olympia were choreographed by prominent figures, as Alfredo Curti, exemplified by ''Olympia Revue'' in 1903 and ''Au Music-Hall'' in 1905.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}}

In 1905, Paul Ruez was appointed manager for the venue.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} Two ballet productions, ''Les Saisons de la Parisienne'' and ''Vers Les Etoiles'' were created in 1905 and 1906 respectively. Although spectacular, it had only lesser [[Ballet d'action|pantomime-ballet]] influences and received mixed reviews.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}}

In 1908, [[Victor de Cottens]] and H. B. Marinelli took over as the directors of the music hall.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Hardel |first=Alain |date=1977 |title=Strass: En Remontant Les Bas Résille du Music-Hall |trans-title=Strass: Pulling Up The fishnet Stockings of The Music Hall |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bEAmEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT55 |language=fr |publisher=FeniXX |location=Paris |section=9 |isbn=978-2-3071-9447-7 }}</ref> In 1908, ''Trianon Ballet'', and in 1909, ''Les Aventures de Mlle Clo-Clo'', were ballets about flirting.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}}
Choreographed by Curti, ''Paquita'', and ''L'Enlèvement de Psyché'' debuted on the London stage in 1909 and 1910, respectively, while ''Papillon d'Or'' was first performed at the [[Empire, Leicester Square|Empire Theater]] with music composed by [[Leopold Wenzel]].{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} In 1911, Cottens and H. B. Marinelli left their responsibilities which concluded fourteen ballets staged since the arrival of Ruez.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} That year, ''Nitokris'' was the last pantomime-ballet staged at the Olympia .{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}}

[[File:Paris Olympia 1913.jpg|thumb|Olympia seen from [[Boulevard des Capucines]] in 1913]]
In 1911, Jacques Charles was trained by both brothers and worked his way up through the Olympia, and became the new executive director, then transformed it into a temple of the revue, entering the "most luxurious period of the place".<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Costille |first=Marine |date=2016 |title=Spectacles au music-hall. Le cas de quatre salles parisiennes, 1917–1940  |url=https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-01417493/document |journal=[[:fr:Dépôt universitaire de mémoires après soutenance|Dumas]] |language=fr |location=Paris|publisher=[[French National Centre for Scientific Research|CNRS]] |format=PDF |version=Version:1 |page=61 |id=dumas-01417493 |access-date=21 May 2021 |type=[[Open-access repository]] }}</ref> From 1911 to 1913, three revues included choreographic segments by [[Léo Staats]], which featured dance performances of [[Natalia Vladimirovna Trouhanowa|Natalia Trouhanowa]] and [[Stacia Napierkowska]].{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} By 1912, the Olympia presented a number of American music hall performers, and also French singers such as [[Lucienne Boyer]], Mistinguett, [[Marie-Louise Damien|Damia]], [[Fréhel]], [[Georges Guibourg|Georgius]], and [[Yvonne Printemps]].<ref name="Goldemberg"/> In 1913, a ballet was staged at the Olympia, called ''Les Franfreluches de L'Amour''.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} Léon Volterra was initially an employee at a [[car dealership]] and then joined Charles to began as a programs seller. Volterra negotiated to take charge of the program's sales of Olympia's first [[dance hall]] called ''Le Palais de la Danse'', becoming increasingly wealthier.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |last=Charles |first=Jacques |date=1993 |title=Jacques Charles – De Gaby Deslys à Mistinguett |trans-title=From Gaby Deslys to Mistinguett |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6HzVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT14 |section=2 |language=fr |publisher=[[Éditions Gallimard]] |location=Paris |pages=13–15 |isbn=978-2-3070-4699-8 }}</ref>

The Olympia closed its doors for a short period at the beginning of the [[First World War]], while Oller, still the commercial property [[landlord]], struggled financially due to late [[Renting|rent]] payments and non-payments.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":5"/> Volterra partnered with Olympia chief conductor Raphael Beretta to manage stage shows, giving money to Oller, who "expressly agreed-upon" and Charles' [[Leasehold estate|tenant]] agency, then reopened the music hall one month after the [[First Battle of the Marne]].<ref name=":5"/> By then, the revue became the preferred theatrical production choice, and ballet waned in popularity.{{sfn|Gutsche-Miller|2015|p=30}} In 1914, Charles left the Olympia<ref name=":3"/> and went to war; he was then wounded on the front lines of the [[First Battle of Champagne]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leduc |first1=Emilie |last2=Pessis |first2=Jacques |date=2003 |title=Chronique de La Chanson Française |trans-title=Chronicle of French Song |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDMYAQAAIAAJ |language=fr |publisher=Editions Chronique |location=Paris |page=20 |isbn=978-2-2050-5521-4 }}</ref>

In 1915, Volterra and Beretta purchased the Olympia with their [[Profit (economics)|financial gains]], highlighting ''[[chanson]]s'' with performers such as Boyer, Damia, and Fréhel.<ref name=":5"/><ref name=":3"/> The following year, both bought the [[Casino de Paris]] and the Folies Bergère.<ref name=":5"/> As the [[Paris in World War I#Paris again on the front lines|bombs dropped]] from the [[Zeppelin#During World War I|Zeppelin]]s intensified overnight, Paris shut down its activities, including the Olympia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/en/paris-reportage/paris-se-protegeait-contre-bombardements-allemands |title=First World War: Paris under the bombs |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=n.d. |website=Un Jour de Plus à Paris |access-date=17 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616000042/https://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/en/paris-reportage/paris-se-protegeait-contre-bombardements-allemands |archive-date=16 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=L'Olympia |url=https://www.offi.fr/concerts/lolympia-2874.html |url-status=live |magazine=[[L'Officiel des Spectacles]] |language=fr |date=n.d. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210517170813/https://www.offi.fr/concerts/lolympia-2874.html |archive-date=17 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021 |quote=See: at the bottom of the page}}</ref> In 1917, Volterra was fired, leaving the Olympia with a generated personal profit of 1{{nbsp}}''[[1,000,000|million]] de [[French Franc#World War I|franc]]s''.{{refn|group=nb|1{{nbsp}}[[1,000,000|million]] of [[French Franc#World War I|franc]]s in 1917 is equal to [[United States dollar|US$]]{{formatnum:327000}} in May 2021.}}<ref name=":5"/>

In 1918, at the end of the war, comedian Paul Franck had been entrusted with the business operation of the music hall and was appointed executive director.<ref name=":3"/><ref name="Chapuis2004"/> In 1922, Olympia's founder Oller died a rich man.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reid |first=Jamie |date=2018 |title=Monsieur X: The incredible story of the most audacious gambler in history |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D6sxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT19 |chapter=1 |language=en-GB |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |location=UK |page=19 |isbn=978-1-4729-4231-9}}</ref> Franck revealed new talents, such as [[Marie Dubas]], and brought back on stage artists from the early century that people wished to see again.<ref name="Chapuis2004"/><ref name=":3"/> In 1928, Franck left the music hall, which marked the end of the "golden era".<ref name="Chapuis2004"/>

===Movie theater===
By 1929, the music hall had turned into a stagnant concept,<ref name="Goldemberg"/> while [[Sound film#Transition: Europe|sound film]] began its ascent in France.<ref name=":6">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=14 May 2019 |title=Biographie: Jacques Haïk, de Charlot au Grand Rex |trans-title=Biography: Jacques Haïk, from Charlot to the Grand Rex |url=https://lepetitjournal.com/tunis/actualites/biographie-jacques-haik-de-charlot-au-grand-rex-52493 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Petit Journal (website)|Le Petit Journal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023062726/https://lepetitjournal.com/tunis/actualites/biographie-jacques-haik-de-charlot-au-grand-rex-52493 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |access-date=18 May 2021 }}</ref> Then came the consequences of the global economic and financial crisis of the [[Great Depression]], which forced Olympia into bankruptcy.<ref name="Hotel2017">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=The music hall in Paris is Olympia |url=https://www.hotel-etats-unis-opera.com/fr/actualites-quartier-paris/1139/le-music-hall-a-paris-c'est-l'olympia/ |url-status=live |language=fr |work=Hôtel États-Unis Opéra |location=Paris |date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210517163055/https://www.hotel-etats-unis-opera.com/fr/actualites-quartier-paris/1139/le-music-hall-a-paris-c%E2%80%99est-l%E2%80%99olympia/ |archive-date=17 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=":3"/>

Born in [[Tunisia]], [[Jacques Haïk]] was the Importer and [[Distribution (marketing)|distributor]] of [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s films in France and the inventor of his nickname, "[[The Tramp|Charlot]]", in the country.<ref name="Haik-MR">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=29 June 2016 |title=L'image du mois: grèves du Front populaire |trans-title=Image of the month: Popular Front strikes |url=https://www.musee-resistance.com/du-cote-des-archives/limage-du-mois-6/ |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[:fr:Musée de la Résistance nationale|Musée de la Résistance national]] |location=[[Champigny-sur-Marne]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128010409/https://www.musee-resistance.com/du-cote-des-archives/limage-du-mois-6/ |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":6"/> While the crisis steadily deepened in France, Haïk purchased the Olympia and completely transformed the place into a movie theater (cinema).<ref name="Goldemberg"/><ref name=":6"/>

On 11 April 1930, the venue reopened to the public, under the name "Olympia–''Théâtre'' Jacques Haïk", followed by a screening of [[Clarence Brown]]'s silent film, ''[[The Trail of '98]]''.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |url=https://salles-cinema.com/anciens-cinemas/olympia-jacques-haik |title=Cinéma Olympia à Paris |last=Béné |first=Thierry |date=7 October 2018 |website=Salles-cinema.com |language=fr |access-date=18 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125195342/https://salles-cinema.com/anciens-cinemas/olympia-jacques-haik |archive-date=25 January 2021 |via=[[Le Film français]] }}</ref> The theater explored the [[Lists of French films#1930s|French cinema of the 1930s]], celebrating filmmakers such as [[Jean Renoir]], [[Maurice Tourneur]], and [[Henry Wulschleger]].<ref name=":8"/> However, the French Courvoisier bank went bankrupt due to the financial crisis.<ref name=":6"/> In 1931, Haïk lost all of his real estate companies but returned to film production, built several theaters starting in 1934, and regained a healthy financial situation over the years.<ref name=":6"/> On 6 December 1935, the Olympia ''Théâtre'' Jacques Haïk was selected by the [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] during The Great MGM Season—to the detriment of the theater Madeleine—to broadcast a substantial number of film series ending after France's release of [[Robert Z. Leonard]]'s ''[[The Great Ziegfeld]]'' in September 1936. Then, MGM moved to ''Le Paris'' movie theater on the [[Champs-Élysées]] avenue.<ref name=":8"/>

Subsequently, the responsibility for the business operation of the Olympia, in its configuration of a movie theater, moved away into a new commercial film company called [[Gaumont Film Company|Gaumont]] Franco-Film Aubert, then later [[Pathé]], and was finally acquired by entrepreneur Léon Siritzky.<ref name=":8"/>

On 9 February 1938, the restyled Olympia movie theater was inaugurated in a gala event with an exclusive screening of ''[[La Marseillaise (film)|La Marseillaise]]'' by Renoir.<ref name=":8"/>

====Nazi spoliation====
In the summer of 1940, the [[Nazism|Nazis]] invaded French towns, villages, and [[Paris in World War II|Paris]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilkins |first=Charlotte |date=4 March 2020 |title=Eighty years after millions fled the German army, revisiting the 'Paris Exodus' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200304-eighty-years-after-millions-fled-the-german-army-revisiting-the-paris-exodus |url-status=live |work=[[France 24]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304053449/https://www.france24.com/en/20200304-eighty-years-after-millions-fled-the-german-army-revisiting-the-paris-exodus |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=20 May 2021 }}</ref> followed by the [[Nazi plunder|plundering of cultural heritage]], especially the French of Jewish [[Judaism|faith]].<ref name=":9">{{cite book |last1=Habib |first1=André |last2=Marie |first2=Michel |editor1-first=André |editor1-last=Habib |editor2-first=Michel |editor2-last=Marie |date=2016 |chapter=La spoliation du cinéma français par les nazis: La spoliation |title=L'avenir de la mémoire |url=https://books.openedition.org/septentrion/2252?lang=fr |series=Arts du spectacle − Images et sons |language=fr |edition=Presses universitaires du Septentrion |location=[[Villeneuve-d'Ascq]] |pages=47–52 |doi=10.4000/books.septentrion.2237 |isbn=9782757404393 }}</ref> Being Jewish, Haïk left Paris for North Africa while the Nazis confiscated his property, films and took control of his company ''Les Films Régent'' that he had created in 1934.<ref name=":9"/><ref name=":6"/> In mid-October 1940, four hundred and seventeen movie theaters were open in Paris, while the seven hundred and thirty-six closed were included in the [[Aryanization]] process, along with those of Siritzky.<ref name=":10">{{cite book |last=Kaspi |first=Andre |date=1991 |title=Les Juifs pendant l'Occupation |trans-title=Jews during the Occupation |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ow6PDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT85 |chapter=2: Qu'est ce qu'un Juif? − Les effects de l'aryanisation |language=fr |publisher=Points |place=[[University of Paris|Sorbonne]]|isbn=978-2-0213-6064-6 }}</ref> Siritzky, who also controlled the business operations of movie theaters such as the Marivaux, [[Max Linder Panorama|Max Linder]] César, and [[Moulin Rouge]],<ref name=":10"/> received an [[invitation to tender]] from ''Société des cinémas de l'Est'' (SOGEC), led by German film producer and [[Continental Films]] executive director, [[Alfred Greven]].<ref name=":8"/> The ''Société des cinémas de l'Est'' acquired the totality of Siritzky's business, including the Olympia.<ref name=":8"/> [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]]'s professor Andre Kaspi wrote that Siritzky left France for the United States after the transaction, from which he pocketed 18{{nbsp}}''millions de [[French Franc#World War I|franc]]s''.{{refn|group=nb|18{{nbsp}}million of francs in 1940 is equal to US$9,697,000 in May 2021.}}<ref name=":10"/> The Olympia movie theater continued its activity during the [[German military administration in occupied France during World War II|occupation of France]] and broadcast German films by [[Tobis Film|Tobis]], Continental Films, as well as French production films by [[Henri Decoin]], [[Robert Vernay]], and [[Christian-Jaque]].<ref name=":8"/><ref name=":3"/> The venue also provided shelter for [[German Army (1935–1945)|German soldiers]].<ref name=":11">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Ces amoureux célèbres qui ont laissé leur empreinte dans Paris |trans-title=These famous lovers who left their mark in Paris |url=https://www.paris.fr/pages/ces-amoureux-qui-ont-laisse-leur-empreinte-dans-paris-7477 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=Paris.fr |date=2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214170216/https://www.paris.fr/pages/ces-amoureux-qui-ont-laisse-leur-empreinte-dans-paris-7477 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=21 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":3"/>

====Military requisition====
In mid-August 1944, at the [[Liberation of Paris]], the [[United States Armed Forces|American troops]] [[Military logistics|requisitioned]] the Olympia for two years.<ref name=":8"/><ref name=":11"/>

In 1945, at the end of the war, Haïk returned to Paris and battled to recuperate his companies, films, and movie theaters still spoliated by Germany.<ref name=":6"/>

====Restitution====
In January 1946, the Olympia was restituted to him after a judgment by the ''[[tribunal de commerce]]'' (commercial courts).<ref name=":8"/>

On 24 July 1946, it was reopened for public screenings with the [[Archie Mayo]] film ''[[Crash Dive]]''. Throughout the years, the theater hosted a series of films by [[Alfred Hitchcock]] and films from [[Lists of French films#1940s|French producers]] such as [[Julien Duvivier]] and [[Claude Autant-Lara]].<ref name=":8"/> By 1949, however, Olympia's occupancy rates marked a steady decline, due to the rivalry between Paris' movie theaters and the declining importance of films, despite the success of a few blockbusters, and even under the supervision of the executive [[Arts administration|administrator]] Pierre Vercel.<ref name=":8"/> Haïk died in 1950.<ref>{{cite book |last=B. Chan |first=Anthony |date=2007 |title=Perpetually Cool: The Many Lives of Anna May Wong (1905–1961) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CUJI-hFSGNIC&pg=PA51 |page=51 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |location=Paris | volume=103 | series=The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series |isbn=978-1-4616-7041-4 }}</ref><ref name="Haik-MR"/>

At that time, [[Bruno Coquatrix]] was executive director at [[Comédie-Caumartin]] and endured artistic and commercial failures there.<ref name=":16">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=7 August 2019 |title=L'Olympia, temple du music-hall... |url=https://www.ina.fr/contenus-editoriaux/articles-editoriaux/l-olympia-temple-du-music-hall/ |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Institut national de l'audiovisuel]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210527204243/https://www.ina.fr/contenus-editoriaux/articles-editoriaux/l-olympia-temple-du-music-hall/ |archive-date=27 May 2021 |access-date=27 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chantefrance.com/artist/3494-bruno-coquatrix/biographie |title=Biographie de Bruno Coquatrix |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=31 July 2015 |website=[[Chante France]] | language=fr |access-date=21 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210521214350/https://www.chantefrance.com/artist/3494-bruno-coquatrix/biographie |archive-date=21 May 2021 }}</ref> He was the [[impresario]] of [[Édith Piaf]] in the [[1940s#Musicians|1940s]] and was also a songwriter, conductor, and [[jazz]] saxophonist.<ref name="Préhu2018">{{cite magazine |last=Préhu |first=Dominique |date=20 June 2018 |title=Paulette Coquatrix... |trans-title=The artists were all her children! |url=https://www.francedimanche.fr/actualites/paulette-coquatrix-les-artistes-etaient-tous-ses-gosses |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=France Dimanche |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522205218/https://www.francedimanche.fr/actualites/paulette-coquatrix-les-artistes-etaient-tous-ses-gosses |archive-date=22 May 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref> He was also known to be the [[Talent agent|agent]] of [[Léo Marjane]] and Lucienne Boyer.<ref name=":3"/>

In 1952, Coquatrix signed a commercial [[lease agreement]] with Jeanne Haïk,<ref name=":3"/> owner of the Olympia and director of her late husband's businesses.<ref>{{cite book |author=Commission française des archives juives |date=1998 |title=Archives Juives, Volumes 31 à 32 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5GssAQAAIAAJ |page=117 |language=fr |publisher=[[Presses Universitaires de France]] |location=Paris  }}</ref> The Olympia was in a "pitiful state" when Coquatrix took over as a manager and executive director.<ref name=":3"/> Nevertheless, he continued using it as a cinema and created operettas there in 1953.<ref name="Goldemberg"/><ref name=":8"/> However, the downward trend of attendance signaled an impending bankruptcy.<ref name=":8"/>

===Rebirth of the music hall===
[[File:Olympia salle.jpg|thumb|The famous red neon facade]]
On 5 February 1954, Coquatrix revived it as a 2,000-seat music hall with a grand re-opening organized by [[Lucienne Delyle]] and [[Aimé Barelli]], who presented that evening a singer unknown at the time, [[Gilbert Bécaud]], who sang three songs.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stavridès |first1=Yves |last2=Bernard |first2=René |author-link2=René Bernard |date=21 September 2018 |orig-date=First published 28 October 1983 |title=1983: Les trente printemps de l'Olympia |trans-title=1983: The thirty spring of Olympia |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/musique/1983-les-trente-printemps-de-l-olympia_2031853.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[L'Express]] |issue=1686 |pages=18–19 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522223716/https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/musique/1983-les-trente-printemps-de-l-olympia_2031853.html |archive-date=22 May 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":3"/> During the summer of 1954, Coquatrix convinced [[Jean-Michel Boris]], aged twenty-one, to join his new team as a [[machinist]] and [[electrician]].<ref name=":20">{{cite news |last=Grasset |first=Alain |date=7 November 2020 |title=Les artistes... |trans-title=The artists mourn Jean-Michel Boris, the ex-director of the Olympia |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/les-artistes-pleurent-jean-michel-boris-l-ex-directeur-de-l-olympia-07-11-2020-8407175.php |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Parisien]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528215209/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/les-artistes-pleurent-jean-michel-boris-l-ex-directeur-de-l-olympia-07-11-2020-8407175.php |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref>

In 1955, renowned [[jazz]] musicians as [[Billie Holiday]], [[Sidney Bechet]], [[Louis Armstrong]], and [[Ella Fitzgerald]] were received every Wednesday and Saturday at the Olympia.<ref name=":22">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=9 February 2004 |title=L'Olympia fête ses 50 ans |trans-title=Olympia celebrates its 50 years |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/culture/20040204.OBS3656/l-olympia-fete-ses-50-ans.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[L'Obs]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529213131/https://www.nouvelobs.com/culture/20040204.OBS3656/l-olympia-fete-ses-50-ans.html |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 }}</ref> Bécaud returned at the Olympia, where he caused the first scenes of "collective hysteria".<ref name=":22"/> By then, the music hall mixed musical genres where tradition and innovation converged. A single music hall show encompassed, attractions, beginner singers, confirmed singers, and highest-ranked entertainers.<ref name=":22"/> Coquatrix partnered with Lucien Morisse and [[Eddie Barclay]] to hold regular [[audition]]s in the original [[billiard room]] (emptied of its [[billiard table]]s), scrolling through fifteen to fifty unknown artists whose careers "were played out in thirty seconds".<ref name="Hotel2017"/>

In 1959, Boris was appointed [[Artistic director (music)|artistic director]] of the Olympia.<ref name=":20"/>

In 1961, the Olympia was close to filing for bankruptcy, but Piaf came to help Coquatrix with the assistance of actor [[Jacques Tati]].<ref name="Hotel2017"/> The music hall was saved by the performance of Piaf heading the bill for three months in a row—including some offered for free to Coquatrix—accompanied with live shows by Tati provided at the entrance of the venue and on stage.<ref name="Hotel2017"/>

In 1972, [[Alan Stivell]] popularized the style of [[Celtic music]] in France by playing at the Olympia, paving the way for [[Glenmor]], [[Dan Ar Braz]], and [[Tri Yann]].<ref name=":22"/> The venue also initiated the first steps of [[Francis Cabrel]], [[Alain Souchon]], [[Paul Anka]], and [[Louis Chedid]].

On 1 April 1979, Coquatrix died, and consequently "Olympia–Bruno Coquatrix" became a registered trademark, although he was never the owner of the venue.<ref name=":3"/> Following his death, [[Paulette Coquatrix]], and Patricia, their daughter, began to control at equal shares the business operations of the Olympia.<ref name=":19">{{cite news |last=Grasset |first=Alain |date=17 October 2001 |title=Rachat de l'Olympia: cette fois, c'est signé |trans-title=Acquisition of the Olympia: this time, it's signed |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/rachat-de-l-olympia-cette-fois-c-est-signe-17-10-2001-2002516990.php |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Parisien]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528205652/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/rachat-de-l-olympia-cette-fois-c-est-signe-17-10-2001-2002516990.php |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref> That same year, Boris was named executive director of the Olympia.<ref>{{cite news |author=M.R. |date=6 November 2020 |title=Mort de Jean-Michel Boris... |trans-title=Death of Jean-Michel Boris, emblematic figure of the Olympia |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/mort-de-jean-michel-boris-figure-emblematique-de-l-olympia_AD-202011060211.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[BFM TV]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528221156/https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/mort-de-jean-michel-boris-figure-emblematique-de-l-olympia_AD-202011060211.html |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref>

By 1990, ''[[Société Générale]]'' took [[Commercial property|ownership of the building]] of the Olympia.<ref name="Préhu2018"/> Subsequently, it went into another slow decline and was in danger of being torn down and turned into a parking lot.<ref name=":21">{{cite news |last=De Santis |first=Sophie |date=23 April 2019 |title=L'Olympia... |trans-title=Olympia unveils its billiard room |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sortir-paris/l-olympia-devoile-sa-salle-de-billard-20190423 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Figaro]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411205700/https://www.lefigaro.fr/sortir-paris/l-olympia-devoile-sa-salle-de-billard-20190423 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 }}</ref> Another project was also mentioned to rebuild a scaled-down version of the Olympia after demolition, but Boris, who was at the head of a support committee, went to negotiate with the ''Société Générale''{{'}}s CEO.<ref name=":22"/> In 1991, France's then [[culture minister]], [[Jack Lang (French politician)|Jack Lang]], issued a [[Memory space (social science)|preservation order]] for the Olympia to interrupt the pre-established plan of the ''Société Générale''.<ref name=":13">{{cite news |last=Guerrin |first=Michel |date=4 March 1995 |title=L'Olympia garde sa salle mais risque de perdre son âme |trans-title=The Olympia keeps its hall but risks losing its soul |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1995/03/04/l-olympia-garde-sa-salle-mais-risque-de-perdre-son-ame_3834490_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522202158/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1995/03/04/l-olympia-garde-sa-salle-mais-risque-de-perdre-son-ame_3834490_1819218.html |archive-date=22 May 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref> After that, politician [[Jacques Toubon]] had objected to the procedure, which canceled Olympia's protection.<ref name =":13"/> A contestation and continued support from French artists and Lang ensued to maintain the building's historic integrity, which led to Olympia's sustainability through a preservation order established on 7 January 1993.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mortaigne |first=Veronique |date=14 November 1997 |title=La communauté... |trans-title=The artistic community celebrates with Bécaud the reopening of the Olympia |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1997/11/14/la-communaute-artistique-fete-avec-becaud-la-reouverture-de-l-olympia_3809579_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410191418/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1997/11/14/la-communaute-artistique-fete-avec-becaud-la-reouverture-de-l-olympia_3809579_1819218.html |archive-date=10 April 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 }}</ref>

===Demolition and reconstruction===
In 1995, as part of the real estate project initiated in 1993, which required 1{{nbsp}}''[[Billion|milliard]]'' of [[French Franc#New franc|new franc]]s of investment, the Edouard-VII area in the 9th arrondissement, where the Olympia was located, began to undergo "a radical" demolition and reconstruction.{{refn|group=nb|1{{nbsp}}''[[Billion|milliard]]'' of [[French Franc#New franc|new franc]]s in 1995 is equal to US$261,800,000 today in May 2021.}}<ref name="Bauer1999-04-30">{{cite news |last=Bauer |first=Anne |date=30 April 1999 |title=La Société Foncière Lyonnaise prend les clefs du quartier Edouard-VII |trans-title=The Société Foncière Lyonnaise takes the keys to the Edouard-VII district |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/1999/04/la-societe-fonciere-lyonnaise-prend-les-clefs-du-quartier-edouard-vii-768354 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]] |location=Paris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216194703/https://www.lesechos.fr/1999/04/la-societe-fonciere-lyonnaise-prend-les-clefs-du-quartier-edouard-vii-768354 |archive-date=16 February 2021 |access-date=16 February 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Johannes1999-04-30">{{cite news |last=Johannes |first=Franck |date=30 April 1999 |title=Le quartier de l'Olympia est achevé |trans-title=The Olympia district is completed |url=https://www.liberation.fr/societe/1999/04/30/le-quartier-de-l-olympia-est-acheve-l-ilot-d-15-ha-au-coeur-de-paris-fait-la-part-belle-aux-bureaux_269920/ |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Libération]] |location=Paris |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210216224125/https://www.liberation.fr/societe/1999/04/30/le-quartier-de-l-olympia-est-acheve-l-ilot-d-15-ha-au-coeur-de-paris-fait-la-part-belle-aux-bureaux_269920/ |archive-date=16 February 2021 |access-date=16 February 2021 }}</ref>

On 14 April 1997, a gala evening was broadcast live on television with reputed French singers, in honor of the Olympia and support of the following months of closure.<ref name=":14">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=15 April 1997 |title=L'olympia déménage |trans-title=Olympia is moving |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/226811/Lolympia_demenage.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[L'Orient-Le Jour]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522211558/https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/226811/Lolympia_demenage.html |archive-date=22 May 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref> In Spring 1997, the demolition of the Olympia began.<ref name="Collet2008-08-08">{{cite news |last=Collet |first=Valérie |date=8 August 2008 |title=A qui appartient... l'Olympia ? |trans-title=Who owns... the Olympia? |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/economie/2008/08/08/04001-20080808ARTFIG00535-a-qui-appartient-l-olympia-.php |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Figaro]] |location=Paris |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140702203930/http://www.lefigaro.fr/economie/2008/08/08/04001-20080808ARTFIG00535-a-qui-appartient-l-olympia-.php|archive-date=2 July 2014 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref> The architecture firms Anthony-Emmanuel Bechu, and Fernando Urquijo–Gino Valle–Giorgio Macola were appointed to manage the reconstruction project.<ref name=":15"/><ref name="Bauer1999-04-30"/> It was rebuilt identically in seven months, keeping its original facade and the grandeur of its famous red interior, as well as the bar and the [[mosaic]]s.<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/> The Olympia was relocated eight meters beneath its previous location.<ref name=":14"/> Nevertheless, the entrance to the venue remained in the same place,<ref name="Johannes1999-04-30"/> leading to the hall, which has retained its same seating capacity.<ref name=":14"/><ref name="Hotel2017"/> The venue's original [[Acoustic resonance|acoustic]] was studied and preserved, as its aesthetics including its midnight blue ceiling and black walls.<ref name=":14"/> The cost of demolition, reconstruction and renovation of the Olympia was 100 ''millions'' of new francs.{{refn|group=nb|100{{nbsp}}''millions'' of new francs in 1997 is equal to US$25,000,000 today in May 2021.}}<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/>

On 30 April 1999, the real estate subsidiary of the ''[[Société Générale]]'' at the origin of the project, delivered the large commercial properties (including the [[Théâtre Édouard VII]]) to its buyer, the ''[[:fr:Société foncière lyonnaise|Société Foncière Lyonnaise]]'', a subsidiary of [[Commercial Union]], for an amount of 2,15{{nbsp}}''milliards'' of [[French Franc#New franc|new franc]]s.{{refn|group=nb|2,15{{nbsp}}''milliards'' of new francs in 1999 is equal to US$541,000,000 in May 2021.}}<ref name="Bauer1999-04-30"/><ref name="Johannes1999-04-30"/> As a result, the ''Société Foncière Lyonnaise'' became the owner of the Olympia's building.<ref name="Bauer1999-04-30"/><ref name="Johannes1999-04-30"/> The vast real estate transaction "almost signed the death warrant of the Olympia".<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/>

On 17 July 2001, Boris retired as artistic director of the music hall.<ref name=":18">{{cite news |last=Grasset |first=Alain |date=25 August 2001 |title=Vivendi achète l'Olympia |trans-title=Vivendi purchase the Olympia |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/vivendi-achete-l-olympia-25-08-2001-2002390453.php |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Le Parisien]] |location=Paris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216195646/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/vivendi-achete-l-olympia-25-08-2001-2002390453.php |archive-date=16 February 2021 |access-date=16 February 2021 }}</ref>

In August 2001, Paulette and Patrica Coquatrix sold the brand "Olympia" to [[Vivendi]]'s chief executive [[Jean-Marie Messier]].<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/> With the tensions tearing the heirs apart, Messier also bought the ''fonds de commerce'' ([[Goodwill (accounting)|goodwill]] and [[Inventory|stock in trade]] and [[intangible asset]]s) from its owner, the ''Société Générale'', as well as the percentage from Paulette Coquatrix and her daughter (both were ''fonds de commerce''{{'}}s tenants).<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/> Messier was the sole initiator of the "astronomical amount" of money that transited, which sparked an investigation by the [[Revenue service|Fisc]].<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/> At this point, the ''Société Foncière Lyonnaise'' retained ownership of the building, but negotiations continued during August, as Vivendi attempted to acquire it.<ref name=":18"/> By October 2001, the buyout was completed.<ref name=":19"/> [[Universal Music Group|Vivendi Universal Entertainment]] bought the building,<ref name=":19"/> corresponding to the remaining twenty percent.<ref name=":18"/> Since then, the business unit [[Vivendi#Vivendi Village|Vivendi Village]] has been the sole owner and supervise the commercial operations of the Olympia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Diebold |first=Jean-Baptiste |date=19 June 2015 |title=Les grandes ambitions de Bolloré pour Vivendi Village |trans-title=Bolloré's great ambitions for Vivendi Village |url=https://www.challenges.fr/challenges-soir/les-grandes-ambitions-de-bollore-pour-vivendi-village_44997 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Challenges (magazine)|Challenges]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019212958/https://www.challenges.fr/challenges-soir/les-grandes-ambitions-de-bollore-pour-vivendi-village_44997 |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=15 February 2021 }}</ref>

In 2002, Arnaud Delbarre was named as executive director of the Olympia by Universal Music France's ''[[Président-directeur général (France)|Président-directeur général]]'', Pascal Nègre.<ref>{{cite news |last=Géraldine |first=Meignan |date=1 April 2008 |title=Un chti... |url=https://lexpansion.lexpress.fr/actualite-economique/un-chti-fait-pulser-l-olympia_1426964.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[L'Express]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115155717/https://lexpansion.lexpress.fr/actualite-economique/un-chti-fait-pulser-l-olympia_1426964.html |archive-date=15 January 2021 |access-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/>

In 2008, the Olympia was cited as "one of the world's four or five most modern performance halls."<ref name="Collet2008-08-08"/>

In late June 2015, Delbarre, aged fifty-seven years, resigned from office, concluding with an activity of three hundred shows per year at the Olympia, comparatively to two hundred when he arrived in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Arnaud Delbarre... |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/art/france-monde/arnaud-delbarre-quitte-l-olympia-c-est-une-idee-du-ia0b0n2921942 |url-status=live |work=[[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]] |date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528151506/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/art/france-monde/arnaud-delbarre-quitte-l-olympia-c-est-une-idee-du-ia0b0n2921942 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref> By 2015, the venue, which was considered profitable, drew 700,000 attendees per year.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Vivendi... |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/spectacles/vivendi-installe-une-nouvelle-direction-a-l-olympia_3320157.html |url-status=live |work=[[France Info (radio network)|France Info Culture]] |date=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528154126/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/spectacles/vivendi-installe-une-nouvelle-direction-a-l-olympia_3320157.html |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref>

In 2016, [[Simon Gillham]], [[Chairperson|chairman]] of Vivendi Village, became president of the Olympia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Annaïck |first1=Demars |last2=Gauthier |first2=Pierre |date=5 February 2017 |title=Simon Gillham |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/simon-gillham-nous-devons-prendre-notre-destin-mains-1190321.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[France Télévisions|France 3 Régions]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324192621/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/simon-gillham-nous-devons-prendre-notre-destin-mains-1190321.html |archive-date=24 March 2017 |access-date=28 May 2021 }}</ref> On 30 November 2016, Olympia was used for movie projection again, with the premiere of the biopic ''[[Dalida (2017 film)|Dalida]]''. The screening was significant in France and was broadcast live in 220 other venues from the country and [[Belgium]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Randanne |first=Fabien |date=1 December 2016 |title=L'avant-première officielle du biopic |trans-title=The official premiere screening of the biopic |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/culture/1972447-20161201-dalida-avant-premiere-ugc-bercy-olympia |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]] |location=Paris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610115054/https://www.20minutes.fr/culture/1972447-20161201-dalida-avant-premiere-ugc-bercy-olympia |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=17 February 2021 }}</ref>