Théâtre Dijon-Bourgogne

Théâtre Dijon-Bourgogne is a national drama centre (Centre Dramatique National) housed in the former church of Saint-Jean, right in the heart of Dijon. It's one of the most striking examples of sacred architecture repurposed for the stage in France — a Gothic former place of worship now home to a theatre institution of national standing.

Where did this stage come from?

The story begins in 1955, when Jacques Fornier founded the Théâtre de Bourgogne as part of France's post-war movement to decentralise theatre — a nationwide effort to bring live drama beyond Paris and closer to regional audiences. The troupe moved through Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône before settling temporarily, from 1972, at the château of Gilly-lès-Vougeot, after earning the prestigious status of Centre Dramatique National.

The real turning point came when the city of Dijon offered the company the deconsecrated church of Saint-Jean. The building was withdrawn from religious use over the winter of 1971-1972 and handed over to the city in May 1973 specifically to be converted into a theatre. Inside, a removable performance structure — often described as "a box within a box" — was built to preserve the church's original architecture while creating a functional stage and auditorium. From 1974 the church hosted the Centre Dramatique National de Bourgogne, and by 1980 the company had settled there permanently.

What will you find on site?

The main hall, known as "parvis Saint-Jean," combines Gothic ecclesiastical architecture with modern stage infrastructure. Soaring vaults, stone walls, and the original spatial layout of the former church create an atmosphere unlike any conventional theatre. Alongside this main stage, TDB also runs a second, smaller venue — the Salle Jacques Fornier, named after the company's founder — located on rue d'Ahuy.

The programming spans contemporary and classical drama, in-house productions, and touring shows from companies across France and abroad, in keeping with the mission of a national drama centre to champion both new writing and established repertoire. Since September 2021, the theatre has been led by Maëlle Poésy, the first woman to direct the institution, marking a new chapter in its artistic direction.

How to get there and when to visit?

The theatre sits on Place Bossuet, right in central Dijon, within easy walking distance of the city's main sights, including the historic old town and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. The box office is open Tuesday to Friday from 1pm to 7pm, and Saturday from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm. Booking ahead is worthwhile, especially for popular productions, since the auditorium inside the former church has a limited seating capacity.

The theatre season generally runs from September to June, with a summer break — that's the best window to plan a visit if you want to catch a specific production. The building's architecture can also be appreciated outside performance times, during visits tied to box office opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is Théâtre Dijon-Bourgogne? It's a Centre Dramatique National (national drama centre) based in Dijon, housed in the former church of Saint-Jean, which was converted into a theatre space.

Why is the theatre inside a church? The church of Saint-Jean was deconsecrated in the early 1970s and handed over to the city, which converted it into a theatre venue while preserving the building's original architecture.

How long has this theatre company existed? The company was founded in 1955 as the Théâtre de Bourgogne by Jacques Fornier, and it earned the status of Centre Dramatique National in 1972.

Does the theatre have more than one stage? Yes — alongside the main hall in the former Saint-Jean church, it also operates the smaller Salle Jacques Fornier on rue d'Ahuy in Dijon.