Théâtre des Cordeliers

Théâtre des Cordeliers is the main performance hall of Romans-sur-Isère, in the Drôme department, tucked inside a building that has quietly shifted purpose over the centuries — from monastery, to officers' club, to today's city stage. The name recalls the Cordeliers, the Franciscan friars who once ran a convent on this spot.

Why does a theatre carry a monastery's name?

The site's story starts in the Middle Ages, when a Franciscan convent was founded here in the 13th century and grew into one of the town's key religious houses. It was on this very ground, in 1509, that Romans staged the "Mystère des trois Doms," a large-scale passion play whose production details survive in a rare manuscript — listing the playwrights, set builders, stagehands, wages paid and ticket income. Historians treat that document as one of the richest surviving records of how a medieval theatrical production was actually organized and financed, a level of detail almost never preserved elsewhere from the period.

From convent to concert hall

Religious use faded gradually, and the former convent building began hosting gatherings and performances instead. The real turning point came in the 19th century, when the structure underwent a major architectural overhaul. Around the same period, right next to the old church, the town built a Cercle Militaire — an officers' social club, reflecting Romans' status as a garrison town with a strong military presence. Over time the two structures, the former convent and the former officers' club, merged into a single performance complex, now known as the Théâtre des Cordeliers. Few venues layer three such different chapters — faith, army life, and the arts — inside one set of walls.

What's on today?

The theatre now serves as the flagship venue of Romans-sur-Isère's cultural program, Romans Scènes. Its calendar mixes concerts spanning gospel to classical music, straight theatre, comedy shows, dance performances, and rotating contemporary art exhibitions in the building's display spaces. That range pulls in a wide crowd, from classical-music regulars to visitors chasing something more experimental.

How do you get there and when should you visit?

The theatre sits in the heart of Romans-sur-Isère, roughly half an hour from Valence by car. Driving or taking a city bus into the centre is the easiest option, since the hall itself is within walking distance of the old town's main sights — making it simple to pair an evening show with daytime sightseeing. The cultural season runs mainly from autumn through spring, when concerts and performances fill the schedule, so it's worth timing a visit around a specific event rather than hoping to drop in on the building itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the theatre without a ticket to a show? Access depends on the current program — on days without an event the building is usually not open for casual visits, so check the schedule before planning a trip.

What's the connection to the town's military past? The Cercle Militaire building next to the old church once served as the officers' club for the garrison stationed in Romans; it now forms part of the theatre complex.

What kind of events make up the program? Expect a mix of concerts (from gospel to classical), theatre, comedy and dance, plus occasional contemporary art exhibitions.

Is it worth combining with the rest of the town? Yes — the theatre is close to Romans-sur-Isère's historic centre, known among other things for its shoemaking heritage and the Cité de la Chaussure museum, so an evening performance pairs easily with a day of sightseeing.