Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Vienna Municipal Theatre, located in the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is an iconic 18th-century building. Built in 1782 by Pierre Schneyder at his expense, it replaces the old Town Hall, considered too old. The theatre rises on a Gallo-Roman archaeological site, mixing ancient heritage and classical architecture. Originally designed as a multi-purpose showroom, it has been transformed over the centuries into a theatre with Italian style of about 350 seats, typical of the period.

Between 1930 and 1931, the Viennese architect Albert Pin added a back façade adorned with a mural in trompe-l'oeil, entitled Vienna Scenes, made by Lyon artists from the Cité de la Création. This artistic intervention enriched the building's visual heritage, while highlighting its local anchor. The theatre, classified as Monument Historique by decree of 24 February 1929 for its performance hall, remains today a major regional scene, offering a repertoire both contemporary and classical.

The Vienna theatre is run as a self-governing, personalized theatre and plays a resource role for the Isère department. Its history reflects the architectural and cultural evolutions of the city, from its foundation on Gallo-Roman remains to its modern transformations. The hall, owned by the municipality, continues to host theatrical creations and various performances, thus perpetuating its original vocation as a multi-purpose venue.

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