In 1947, he was appointed musical director at the Opéra-Comique, where he conducted 40 works between 1947–1953, including premieres of "La carosse du Saint Sacrement", "Marion" and "Le Oui des jeunes filles". His well-regarded work at the Opéra-Comique included a successful renewal of "The Tales of Hoffmann" in a fresh production in April 1948; Francis Poulenc was delighted with his part in the recording with Opéra-Comique forces of his "Les mamelles de Tirésias". Also notable was the revival after 180 years of "Blaise le savetier" (which was brought into the Salle Favart repertoire as a curtain-raiser for "La boheme", "Werther" and "La traviata"), and the French premiere of "The Rake's Progress" in June 1953. His revival of "Manon" was highly praised – and representative of what Paris critics saw as a successful tenure at the Opéra-Comique; he also oversaw many all-Ravel evenings. Cluytens resigned from the Opéra-Comique in December 1953 and conducted his last performance there ("Manon") on 30 September 1954. He became a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1953.