Théâtre municipal de Louhans

Louhans Municipal Theatre (Théâtre municipal de Louhans) is a listed performance hall in the centre of Louhans-Châteaurenaud, a small town in the Saône-et-Loire department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France.

What is the history behind this building?

The site was in use long before the theatre existed. A boys' college stood here from the 16th century until its closure at the end of the 18th century. In the late 17th century, the Congregation of Saint Joseph - recently founded in Lyon - settled in Louhans, and its members taught local children from as young as seven or eight: reading, arithmetic, grammar and rhetoric.

The theatre itself dates to the 19th century, most likely built between 1850 and 1875. The building visitors see today, however, is largely the result of a 1930s renovation. In 1933 the town's municipal architect drew up a plan that cut construction costs while keeping the existing floor area and the 407-seat capacity. Work ran from 1934 to 1936 at a cost of 180,000 francs, and the architect chose an Art Deco style for the rebuild - a decision that gave the hall its distinctive geometric character. The renovated theatre reopened on 5 May 1936.

What will you see there?

The façade and interior are textbook 1930s Art Deco: clean lines, geometric ornamentation and the restrained, elegant style typical of French public buildings from that era. Since 10 February 1999, the building has been listed ("inscrit") as a monument historique, official recognition of its architectural and historical value to the region.

Can you visit the theatre?

Here's the key practical point: since 2023 the theatre has been closed to the public for safety reasons, and no performances or events currently take place inside. Visits are therefore limited to admiring the building from the outside, which is easy to fit into a walk through central Louhans, especially if you're interested in interwar architecture. Before planning a trip specifically to see the theatre, check with the local tourist office in case the situation has changed or occasional openings are scheduled.

When should you go?

Because the theatre is not currently operating as a working venue, there's no performance season to plan around. The best time to visit is simply whenever the weather suits a walk through town - spring and summer show off the building's architecture in good light, and give you the chance to also explore Louhans' famous arcaded main street, the Grande Rue, and its town-centre markets.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Louhans municipal theatre open to visitors? No. It has been closed since 2023 for safety reasons, and no events are held there at present.

How old is the building? The theatre itself dates from the 19th century (probably 1850-1875), but its current Art Deco appearance comes from a 1934-1936 renovation that reopened on 5 May 1936.

Is the building protected as a historic monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 10 February 1999.

What stood on this site before the theatre? A boys' college operated here from the 16th century, run from the late 17th century by the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Lyon, which taught children from age seven or eight.