Le Carreau

Le Carreau is a Scène nationale (national stage) in Forbach, a border town in the Moselle department of the Grand Est region. The venue brings together theatre, dance, music, and performing arts, and its programming has long built bridges between the French and German cultural scenes.

How to get there?

Le Carreau is located at 71, Avenue Saint-Rémy, right in Forbach, a town sitting almost on the German border, roughly 15 minutes from Saarbrücken. Forbach is easy to reach by train, with rail connections to Metz and Saarbrücken, and the station is within comfortable walking distance of the venue. Drivers will find parking nearby, and the town's position on the region's main routes makes access straightforward.

What will you see?

Le Carreau was founded in 1996 on the initiative of then-mayor of Forbach, Charles Stirnweiss, conceived from the start as a national stage open to the full diversity of contemporary creation. The venue has two auditoriums: a large one named, since 2013, after German playwright Bertolt Brecht, and a smaller one named after Heiner Müller — a choice of names that deliberately underscores the institution's cross-border, Franco-German identity.

The program at Le Carreau spans theatre, dance, object and figure theatre, concerts, and artistic workshops aimed at audiences of all ages. The institution places particular emphasis on reaching audiences less familiar with cultural venues and on artistic and cultural education projects. Le Carreau also co-organizes a Franco-German festival for young audiences, and every autumn it takes part in the Festival Primeurs, which rewards and showcases contemporary playwriting from across the cross-border region.

As a member of the nationwide Association des Scènes nationales network, Le Carreau is part of a system of cultural venues spread across France, allowing it to host artists and productions of national reach while keeping a strong local identity rooted in Forbach's mining past and its position on the Franco-German border.

Who is this venue for?

Le Carreau draws both local residents and visitors interested in cross-border cultural life. It suits anyone who enjoys contemporary theatre, dance, and live music, but also families, thanks to programming aimed at young audiences and family-friendly festivals. Given its cross-border profile, it's also worth a visit when exploring the German side of the border around Saarbrücken.

When to visit?

Le Carreau's artistic season generally runs from autumn through spring, with a full program of shows and concerts during the school year. Autumn also brings the Festival Primeurs, dedicated to new playwriting — a good time for anyone interested in discovering contemporary theatre texts. Before visiting, it's worth checking the current program on the venue's website, since the lineup changes seasonally and some events require booking tickets in advance.

Frequently asked questions

What is Le Carreau in Forbach? It is a Scène nationale — a French national stage combining theatre, dance, music, and other performing arts, operating since 1996 and serving Forbach and the eastern Moselle area.

Where do the names of Le Carreau's two auditoriums come from? Since 2013, the large hall has been named after German playwright Bertolt Brecht and the smaller one after Heiner Müller, underlining the venue's Franco-German, cross-border character.

What kind of programming does Le Carreau offer? A multidisciplinary one — theatre, dance, object and figure theatre, concerts, and workshops, with a strong focus on cultural education and Franco-German cooperation, including a shared festival for young audiences.

Is Le Carreau worth visiting while touring Forbach? Yes — it is one of the town's key cultural institutions, and its program, including the autumn Festival Primeurs, attracts audiences from both sides of the Franco-German border.