Maurice Laroche opened Le Beverley in 1993 in Paris, just around the corner from the famous Grand Rex cinema and concert space. It was the final movie theatre screening X-rated films in the capital until it closed this year.
On February 23, Laroche, 75, closed his proudly smutty cinema. As more and more pornographic films have become available on the internet, Le Beverley saw a steady decline in attendance and turnover leading to its demise as a viable business.
Located in the second arrondissement of Paris, rue de la Ville Neuve, Le Beverley was situated in an area that was once a must-visit area for x-rated cinema fans.
At 12 euros a ticket, 1,500 customers per week used to come and go from the sinful cinema 20 years ago, compared to 470 today.
Vintage posters reveal some of the more scandalous titles screened by Le Beverly over the years (Photo by John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images) Source: Corbis News
Laroche had placed his cinema up for sale, but found no comers, and decided to sell up to a real estate developer.
The cinema also decided to flog off its classic, well-worn seats for 30 euros a piece and 200 rare 35mm film rolls for 50 euros each.
"Everything is for sale, except me," Laroche told AFP.
Exterior of Le Beverly pornographic cinema in Paris (Photo by John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images) Source: Corbis News
"It was a place where we could be sure that no minor would see pornography - now they are all on their phones," he added.
According to the national council of French cinema, there remains only one x-rated cinema in France, the Vox in Grenoble.
