Club and iconic concert hall in Paris, located in a former coal station, La Station announces that it will close its doors in November 2026 for 3 years due to renovations.
In 2016, the MU collective, a bureau dedicated to sound experimentation, took over an abandoned train station in the 18th arrondissement of Paris as part of urban planning initiatives by the SNCF. The venue immediately focused on a clear programming: highlighting various musical and artistic margins, from electronic music to garage rock. The story is now well-known: the initial six-month lease extended to a year, then two, and so on until today, thanks to a consistently demanding program and a free and inclusive spirit that has remained intact despite changes.
Beyond the festive and musical aspect, the MU collective transformed the station into a vibrant space. The Coucou Crew association offers spaces, opportunities for exchange, activities, and rest for young people newly arrived in France in precarious situations. A visual arts program hosts various artistic residencies and workshops. There is also a shared garden, as well as a workshop dedicated to discovering and training in craftsmanship. Finally, an associative radio, Station Station, extends this free and festive spirit beyond the walls through music and literary mixtapes, interviews, and various sound creations.
The end of a cycle
Ten years later, the ephemeral nature of this ecosystem was almost forgotten. Located in a large wasteland, La Station is now at the center of a vast neighborhood redevelopment project. While this perspective opens the way to the long-term sustainability of the venue, it also requires a temporary closure during the estimated three-year renovation period starting from November 2026. This closure significantly impacts the economic model of the venue and raises questions about the continuity of its activities until the planned reopening in three years. A fundraiser has been launched to support the project and enable the team to find a new temporary location.
This announcement comes after the closure of numerous iconic venues in Paris’s nightlife and artistic scene, highlighting the need to support spaces that are free, demanding, and inclusive. Take advantage of it while you can and support it: now more than ever, we need margins and experimentation.
