Antique Theater

Here is one of the greatest vestiges of Vienne, or even of France for that matter, taking into consideration its remarkable condition. Built during the first century AD, this theater was one of the biggest in Roman Antiquity, with 13,000 seats, and a small secondary theater right next to it, called “odeon”. Leaning against the hill of Pipet, it is located just a few meters away from what was once the Roman Forum. In the 4th century, the emperors were forced to abolish games and shows. The theater lost its purpose and fell into oblivion for many centuries, dirt and vegetation covered it as the years went by. It was rediscovered in the 19th century and excavation of this antique theater, began in 1908. Raised back from the ground, restored and inaugurated in 1938 in the presence of French President Albert Lebrun it later beacame one of the most popular monuments of the region. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1840, it hosts every year the ticketed “Jazz à Vienne” concerts, a major music festival that attracts over 200,000 people during the two-week festivities. The theater’s capacity is slightly smaller today than it was in Roman times, accommodating around 8,000 spectators as opposed to 13,000 in the past. Nevertheless, it still remains a popular place to watch concerts or to simply stroll around the auditorium during a visit. This archaeological marvel is one of Vienne’s highlights, so make sure to visit it. It’s indeed a rather unique monument of the Roman world that you can discover tight here ! Furthermore it’s the only theater, along with the one in Lyon, to have an odeon right next to it. So don’t miss out on it !