Palace of the Alsace-Lorraine Diet

The Palace of the Alsace-Lorraine Diet is an imposing building on Place de la République in Strasbourg, now home to the Théâtre National de Strasbourg (TNS), one of France's most prominent public theatres.

What will you see?

The building occupies a place of honour on the square, facing the former imperial palace (Palais du Rhin), and together with the surrounding structures forms one of the most striking architectural ensembles of the Neustadt district. It was built between 1888 and 1892 to designs by architects August Hartel and Skjold Neckelmann, in a neo-Renaissance style marked by a monumental facade, symmetrical layout, and decoration befitting the institution it was meant to house.

The building originally served as the seat of the Alsace-Lorraine regional assembly — first as the Landesausschuss (Territorial Committee), and after the constitutional reform of 1911, as the fully-fledged Landtag. Between 1871 and 1918, while the region belonged to the German Empire, this is where the local legislative representatives held their sessions.

After 1918, when Alsace returned to France, the building's purpose changed: it became home to a conservatory, and the former assembly hall began hosting concerts and theatrical performances. The Second World War left deep scars — the 1944 bombings caused serious damage, forcing a thorough reconstruction carried out between 1952 and 1955. That rebuilding created, among other things, a new concert hall and working premises for the Centre Dramatique de l'Est, a theatre company active in Strasbourg at the time.

A turning point in the building's history came in 1972, when the institution was placed directly under the French Ministry of Culture. This made it the first national theatre established outside Paris — a status the TNS still holds today. The building now houses not only a stage with a rich repertoire of drama productions, but also a prestigious drama school (École du TNS), training successive generations of French actors and directors.

How to get there?

The building stands right in the centre of Strasbourg, on Place de la République, within walking distance of the cathedral and the Grande Île. It is one of the essential stops on any walk through the Neustadt, the German-built district dating from after 1871, today listed alongside the medieval city centre on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

When to visit?

The square's architecture and the palace facade can be admired year-round, and evening lighting adds extra drama to the building's monumental character. To see the interior and attend a performance, it's worth checking the TNS programme in advance — the theatre season typically runs from autumn to spring, with a summer break.

Frequently asked questions

What was this building originally used for? It served as the seat of the Alsace-Lorraine regional assembly — first the Landesausschuss, and from 1911 the Landtag — during the period when the region belonged to the German Empire.

When was the building constructed? It was built between 1888 and 1892, designed by architects August Hartel and Skjold Neckelmann.

Why was the building rebuilt? The 1944 bombings caused serious damage, which led to a thorough reconstruction between 1952 and 1955, including the creation of a new concert hall.

What does the building house today? The Théâtre National de Strasbourg — the first national theatre established outside Paris (a status held since 1972) — along with its prestigious drama school, the École du TNS.