Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Zenith Strasbourg Europe is a theatre located in Eckbolsheim, west of Strasbourg, in the Eurométropole. With a maximum capacity of 12,079 spectators, it is the largest zenith in France. Its architecture, designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, is distinguished by a translucent orange canvas of 12,000 m2, made of silicone coated fiberglass, which captures daylight and illuminates the city at night. The building, built solely of steel and concrete, is part of a sustainable approach, with recyclable materials and ecological improvements.

The construction of the Zenith began in January 2006 and was completed in December 2007 at a total cost of €78.62 million, financed mainly by the urban community of Strasbourg (68%), as well as by the General Council of Bas-Rhin, Alsace Region and the State. The official inauguration took place on 3 January 2008, in the presence of Fabienne Keller (mayor of Strasbourg), Robert Grossmann (president of the urban community) and architect Massimiliano Fuksas, who described his work as "an Aladdin lantern". Zenith opened to the public on 5 and 6 January 2008 with free concerts by local artists.

The Zenith was designed to complement the Strasbourg cultural offer, previously limited by rooms such as the Hall Rhineus (maximum capacity of 8,000 places). It hosts various events: international concerts (Lady Gaga, Mylène Farmer), local festivals (Artefacts), sports events (WWE SmackDown) and conventions. In 2015, it served as a shelter for nearly 15,000 Scouts during a tornado during a national gathering. Managed by SNC Zenith of Strasbourg (subsidiary of S-PASS), it targets a regional Alsatian and cross-border public, notably German.

Access to the Zenith is facilitated by its location near the A351 and the sports park of Hautepierre. It is served by the Strasbourg tram line A, the national road RN4, and is less than 6 km from the central station. The site has three car parks totalling 3,000 places, including spaces dedicated to people with reduced mobility, bicycles and coaches. External developments, designed as an urban park, incorporate sustainable rainwater management techniques.

The Zenith Strasbourg Europe is also distinguished by its modularity: its room can accommodate from 1,863 to 12,079 spectators depending on the configuration (sitting or standing). The structure, 16 meters high in places, is covered with a concrete hull and futuristic architecture combining metal arches and decentralized ellipses. The translucent canvas, in addition to its aesthetic role, serves as a giant screen to display the programs. In 2017, Zenith hosted season 4 of the Prodiges show, strengthening its anchor in visual media.

The project is part of a European dimension, reflecting the status of Strasbourg as the European capital (headquarters of the European Parliament, Euro-District). Its official name, "Zenith Europe", underlines this cross-border vocation. Since its opening, it has welcomed major artists and major events, confirming its role as an essential cultural pole in the East.

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