Lices Municipal Theater

Though not as grand as the Cordeliers Grand Théâtre, the Lices Municipal Theater stands as one of Albi’s most important cultural venues. Its indisputable elegance speaks volumes about the tireless efforts that went into creating it on this very spot two centuries ago. Let us rewind a bit! On September 7, 1861, Paul Bermond, lawyer and mayor of Albi, received a petition signed by 408 displeased high-profile citizens. They all demanded one thing: a real theater for the city. The message was clear, but no action was taken for over two decades. In 1886, some City Council members got back on the case and demanded that the project be approved, threatening to go on strike if they didn’t get the green light. This tactic worked, and two years later, the Small National Garden was chosen as the site for the future theater. Slowly but surely, Albi’s new cultural hub rose from the ground, eventually opening its doors in 1893. From the interior to the exterior, everything was carefully thought out and built by craftspeople from Albi and Toulouse. The theater underwent renovations between 2011 and 2013 and has been listed as a historical monument since 1999. So you see, where there’s a will, there’s a way; and this building right here is a shining example of that.