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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Toulon Opera is a building dedicated to lyrical representations, built in the heart of the city between 1860 and 1862. Inaugurated on 1 October 1862, thirteen years before the Opéra Garnier in Paris, he replaced the former Salle de la Comédie (1770), which was considered to be old and small. Its neo-classical architecture, marked by pink and grey columns, a pediment and arches in the middle of the wall, makes it one of the largest operas in the province. The building, with an area of 2,000 m2, can accommodate 1,329 spectators and has a 7 % inclined scene, offering optimal but complex visibility for artists.

The northern facade, decorated with six statues depicting the muses (Euterpe, Terpsichore, Melpomene, Thalie, Calliope, Polymnie), is the work of the Toulouse sculptor Pierre-Marius Montagne. The opera, managed by the Metropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée since 2003, has been classified as a historical monument since December 2, 1988. Its exceptional acoustics and its capacity make it a major cultural place, attracting more than 50,000 visitors annually. It was also used as a set for filming, such as The Curse of Belphegor (1966) or The Eyes of Helen (1994).

The building symbolizes the 19th century urban boom of Toulon, which was allowed by the retreat of the ramparts in 1853. Originally conceived by architect Léon Feuchère, his plans were largely redesigned by Charpentier. Today, there remains an architectural and cultural testimony of the golden age of provincial operas, competing with the Parisian halls of the time. Its double entrance (place Victor Hugo and boulevard de Strasbourg) reflects its integration into urban life, between artistic prestige and public accessibility.

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