In 1896, Charles and his brothers Émile, Jacques and Théophile launched the Pathé family’s cinema venture in Paris. Société Pathé Frères was formalized on 28 September, with Charles and Émile at its head.
Raphaël Pathé is a direct descendant of Jacques Pathé. His independent cultural association draws on this history to develop new work in literature, performance, sound and audiovisual storytelling.
The family line
Follow Jacques Pathé’s branch through Marie-Louise Pathé and Sylvain Pouly to their great-grandson Raphaël.
In 1894, Charles Pathé began selling phonographs. In 1896, Charles and his brothers Émile, Jacques and Théophile launched the Pathé family’s cinema venture in Paris. Société Pathé Frères was formalized on 28 September, with Charles and Émile at its head.
From phonographs and film equipment, the enterprise grew into an international film business. Pathé-Journal brought filmed news to cinema audiences, while the 9.5 mm Pathé-Baby, launched in 1922, helped bring film projection and shooting into the home.
Through immersive events, sound-driven storytelling and performance, Raphaël Pathé Héritage draws inspiration from this history to develop new cultural work.
Charles Pathé & Ferdinand Zecca · 1906
Across the Atlantic: Pathé Exchange
Pathé Frères began distributing films in the United States in 1904 and built American production operations. The 1914 serial The Perils of Pauline became a major success. Later that year, the American operation was incorporated as Pathé Exchange.
In 1921, Pathé Exchange was separated from its French parent, with Merrill Lynch taking a controlling stake. The American story shows the international reach of the family-founded enterprise and the many artists and workers who helped shape its films.
Raphaël’s path through media and performance
Raphaël Pathé’s own career has followed new forms of media. In Paris, he hosted on CanalWeb, a pioneering European internet television platform, and on Pink TV, launched as France’s first gay and gay-friendly general-interest channel. In London, he hosted for WeDigTV, whose Interactive Channel received a 2008 International Emmy Award.
He also collaborated with British artist Hilary Lloyd on several films, appearing as an actor; the works were projected in galleries internationally. Lloyd was shortlisted for the 2011 Turner Prize. From 2011 to 2016, Raphaël spent five years in Los Angeles, performing music at private events and offering medium readings to high-profile figures in the entertainment world in the Hollywood Hills.
These experiences across television, moving-image art and live performance inform the cultural work he is developing today.
From Athens to creation
The project began in Athens, in a conversation between Raphaël Pathé and Muriel Hericher, a gourmet artisan from mainland France and an entrepreneur based in Corsica. Their shared interest in cinema, music and French heritage led them to imagine a stage that could bring these forms together.
The association was established in 2025 under France’s Loi 1901. Muriel became Founding Treasurer. Today, Caroline Lamy serves as President and Raphaël Pathé is Founder and Artistic Director. Meet the team ↗
A seat with meaning
In 1913, Charles Pathé, Raphaël’s great-grand-uncle, acquired a château in Roissy-en-Brie, where he held screenings and gatherings. The château now houses the town hall. In 2025, Raphaël contacted Mayor François Bouchart about connecting that history with the association’s work. Its postal address at 2 Place Charles Pathé reflects that connection.
Charles Pathé · Roissy-en-Brie
From the rooster to the red macaw
The rooster was the historic Pathé emblem. Raphaël chose the red macaw as the association’s symbol. Its colour and voice reflect the role of sound, performance and visual storytelling in the work today.
The red macaw · a contemporary symbol
Independence and cultural vision
From childhood visits to museums and the sound of opera to the poetic realism of the Nouvelle Vague and the elegance of the Belle Époque, the association takes inspiration from French cultural life. Its work carries that memory into new forms of art and performance.
Independent association. Raphaël Pathé Héritage is a Loi 1901 nonprofit, unaffiliated with today’s Pathé Group or British Pathé archive owners.
Association Raphaël Pathé Héritage is a French nonprofit under the Loi 1901. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the current Pathé Group or British Pathé. References to Pathé Frères describe the historical company and the family’s connection to early cinema.
Raphaël Pathé Héritage
Discover the book ↗ Join the Circle ↗
