Craving a show? The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse stands before us. It is a beacon of culture in Lyon’s 4th arrondissement. This theater is more than just a building. It’s a place with stories etched into its very walls.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse found its home on Place Joann\u00e8s-Ambre. Construction began in the late 1920s. Michel Roux-Spitz was the architect. His vision shaped the theater we see today. In 1980, Georges Bacconnier renovated the interiors.
Originally, this space was a function room. It hosted everything from dances to conferences. For a time, it even served as the Maison de la Danse. This was the first French venue dedicated solely to dance. In 1992, the Maison de la Danse moved.
Two years later, the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse was born. The city of Lyon, the Ministry of Culture, and the Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes region collaborated. They entrusted the theater to Philippe Faure. His slogan was “Ouverture d’un th\u00e9\u00e2tre, th\u00e9\u00e2tre d’ouverture”.
Michel Roux-Spitz designed the theater with a reinforced concrete structure. He used pisé for the infill. An octagonal dome crowns the main hall. This is a distinctive feature.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse has three spaces: a large hall, a studio, and a third space. The large hall seats 594 people. The studio holds 82.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse champions artists from diverse backgrounds. It offers an eclectic program of theater and music. These two disciplines meet through opera, musical comedy, and concerts. You can also enjoy musical theater, circus arts, and graphic and digital arts. It also stages classical plays and contemporary works.
The theater aims to be a space for everyone. It integrates artistic forms to achieve this. The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse strives to be accessible to all.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse is featured in French films. It appears in “Alice et le maire” and “Un triomphe”. In “Un triomphe”, exterior scenes were filmed right here.
To get here, you can take the Metro C to Croix-Rousse, Hénon, or Cuire stations. Buses C13 and 38 stop at Hôpital Croix-Rousse. Bus C1 stops at Cuire. Buses S6 and S12 stop at Croix-Rousse. Vélo’v station Place Joannes Ambre is in front of the theater.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Croix Rousse stands as a testament to Lyon’s cultural vibrancy. Its history reflects the city’s commitment to the arts. It is a place where stories come to life. Its doors are open.