Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Théâtre de l'Alhambra de Bordeaux, located on Rue d'Alzon near the Meriadeck district, has its origins in the 1870s with the installation of a sedentary circus transformed into a café-concert in 1878. This versatile place quickly became a high entertainment venue, welcoming shows, music-hall and even sporting competitions such as boxing or wrestling. Its architectural climax occurred in 1910 after a major renovation by architect Jean Tournier, allowing to accommodate up to 2,260 spectators in a room divided into three distinct spaces: theatre, summer casino and bowling-skating.

Between September and December 1914, the Alhambra played an unexpected historic role in hosting the Chamber of Deputies, when Bordeaux temporarily became the capital of France during the First World War. The parliamentarians, accustomed to the Palais-Bourbon, had to adapt to an improvised setting, as evidenced by the accounts of the time describing stands mounted in haste on the stage. This episode marked the history of the monument for a long time, well beyond its original cultural vocation.

The second half of the 20th century marked the decline of the Alhambra. Despite attempts to save in the 1970s by Eric Bocké and Mrs. Tichadel, the theatre closed permanently in 1982. Only its neo-classical facades, decorated with mascarons typical of Bordeaux architecture, were preserved and inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1984. Today, the site hosts a private residence, almost completely erasing the footprint of this place which was a symbol of Bordeaux cultural and political life.

The architecture of the Alhambra reflected its ambition: a two-storey limestone facade, decorated with interlaced balconies and carved female faces, dominated Alzon Street. Inside, the main hall of 1,975 m2, spread over three levels, competed with the major Parisian theatres. Annexes housed offices, workshops and rehearsal rooms, while innovations such as an inclined floor or a rocking system for the stage showed its modernity. However, these developments disappeared after the demolitions of the 1980s, leaving only archives and photographs to attest to this gruelling past.

Several personalities marked the history of the Alhambra, like the architect Jean Tournier, who made his transformation in 1908, or politicians such as Jacques Chaban-Delmas and Georges Pompidou, who organized meetings there. The theatre was also a springboard for music-hall artists and theatre companies, contributing to Bordeaux's cultural reputation. His legacy continues through archives, such as those of Kléber Harpain, and the historical studies that document his role in Bordeaux life, between popular entertainment and national issues.

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