Municipal theatre

The first stone of this majestic theatre was laid in 1810, but construction was soon suspended due to the fall of Napoleon’s Empire, and was not resumed until 1823. Five years later, this imposing building was erected, and is now an integral part of the cultural life of the people of Dijon, representing theatre, dance and opera. Its rectangular shape and eight Corinthian columns facade were inspired by classical Antique architecture, which was very much in vogue at the time, and were designed by the French architects Jacques Cellerier and Simon Vallot. It was decorated in 1828 by the Moench brothers who were Parisian decorative painters. The auditorium was designed in the Italian style and, when it was built, it could accommodate 1,000 spectators. The hall features allegories representing different arts, such as dancers, musicians and other artists likely to perform on the theatre stage. Its facades and roofs were listed as Historic Monuments in 1975.