Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Théâtre de plein air de Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, located in Saint-Paul on the island of La Réunion, was born out of an initiative led by Michel Debré, Member of Parliament for the island and passionate about theatre. In 1963 he proposed the creation of major cultural equipment for La Réunion, a project validated by the Minister of Culture André Malraux. In 1964, the General Council, the owner of the site, chose to set up this theatre in the tourist area and little rain in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, in order to offer quality performances and to awaken the interest of young people in the stage arts. This iconic place symbolizes the island's cultural ambition in the Indian Ocean.

The project is entrusted to architects Jean Tribel and Gilbert Royer, who is a concrete specialist and representative of the neo-brutalist movement in La Réunion. The work began in 1968 on a sloping natural site, minimizing the earthworks thanks to the topography adapted to the stands. The theatre, designed as a hemicycle from 824 to 1,000 seats, is entirely made of raw concrete, characteristic of the brutalist style. It was inaugurated on 5 September 1970 at the first Indian Ocean Festival, marking its anchoring in the cultural life of Réunion with folk performances and a tragedy of Racine performed by the Comédie-Française.

Originally conceived as a "green theatre", the site overlooks the seaside resort of Saint-Gilles and offers an exceptional lookout on the ocean and volcanic landscapes. Its garden, once populated by endemic species such as olive wood or Tamarin, was renovated between 2020 and 2022 to restore its original wild character. The theatre, labeled a remarkable 20th century heritage and then listed as a historical monument in 2012, remains a major place of multidisciplinary programming, including music, with festivals such as Jazz en l'Air or Do Moon Indian Ocean.

The management of theatre has evolved over the decades, from the Réunion Cultural Action Centre (CRAC) to public service delegations (PSDs). Since 2023, the TÉAT La Réunion association, led by Thierry Boyer, has been operating it for a six-year term. The theatre, owned by the Department, continues to play a central role in cultural dissemination in La Réunion, welcoming both private producers and schools for local events.

The architecture of the theatre, marked by the use of concrete and its landscape integration, reflects a collaboration between Jean Tribel, figure of cultural facilities, and Gilbert Royer, Swiss architect installed in Réunion since 1955. Their work, complemented by the construction manager Edwin Quessy, created a unique space, both functional and poetic. The site, classified for its heritage interest, today embodies the legacy of the cultural policies of the 1960s and 1970s, while remaining a living place of creation and gathering.

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