Le Grand Théâtre de Calais

The Grand Théâtre is located in the centre of Calais, at the crossroads of four major roads, nicknamed "the four boulevards" by the locals. Its construction dates back to the Belle Epoque.

This building is part of the public buildings built following the merger of 1885 between Calais and Saint-Pierre. This is also the case for the Town Hall. The Grand Théâtre de Calais is in Baroque style. The superb façade is decorated on the 1st floor with four groups of double columns. Between each group, there are four statues representing the lyrical arts: Poetry, Comedy, Dance and Music. 

Inside, it is an Italian-style, horseshoe-shaped theatre. Its capacity is 900 seats, spread over 4 galleries. After 2 Parisian institutions (the Opéra-Comique and the Théâtre français), it is the 3rd in France to have been equipped with stage machinery entirely made of iron.

The building is located on Place Albert Ier, lined with numerous facades illustrating the character of 19th century Saint-Pierre. In front of the main facade is the Jacquard monument, in homage to an influential man in the development of the lace industry.      

Historical anecdote: it was a President of the French Republic who laid the first stone. On July 9, 1903, President Emile Loubet returned from London by boat. He met King Edward VII with whom he would seal the Entente Cordiale. It should be noted, however, that the construction work had begun a few weeks before...! 

The Grand Théâtre de Calais is open to the public during performances and on the occasion of exceptional events.