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Origin and history

Fontainebleau Municipal Theatre, located in the city centre between Denecourt, Richelieu and Ferrara streets, is an emblematic monument to the city. Built between 1910 and 1912 by architects Fernand Lucas and Paul Marion, it was inaugurated on 9 March 1912 with a performance of opera-comic. His immediate success led to a second performance on the same day. This Italian-style Louis XIII theatre combines brick and stone in its facades and includes a 650-seat curvilinear showroom as well as a reception room.

During the First World War, the theatre closed in 1914 and was requisitioned by the military authorities. It only reopened in February 1918. In 1991, the city of Fontainebleau launched an important restoration campaign, followed by a second in 2011. Since 1991, the theatre, its esplanade and its ballroom have been listed as a communal property.

Today, the theatre hosts cultural events, including the Festival Series, created in 2012. Its architecture and history make it a major place of local heritage. The main access is via the Denecourt Street esplanade, while the ticket office and the artists' entrance are located on Rue Richelieu, and technical access is available on Rue Ferrare.

The architects Fernand Lucas and Paul Marion, winners of a competition held in January 1905, designed this monument that reflects the cultural importance of Fontainebleau at the beginning of the 20th century. The theatre remains a symbol of the artistic and social life of the city, mixing historical heritage and contemporary dynamism.

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