Usine à Gaz

Usine à Gaz is a cultural centre in Nyon, in the Swiss canton of Vaud on Lake Geneva. It occupies a former gasworks built in 1864, converted into a performance venue. Today it is one of the region's key cultural addresses.

What is Usine à Gaz?

It is a concert and theatre space hosting 60 to 70 evenings of performances each season. The programme is broad: dance, theatre, children's shows, song, music from near and far, and contemporary music. The venue also works with regional events such as the Fête de la musique and the Hivernales, and is linked to the Visions du Réel documentary film festival held in Nyon.

How did a gasworks become a venue?

The building's story is one of residents fighting for its future. In the early 1990s the old factory was slated for demolition to make way for a hotel complex. In 1991 a popular mobilisation saved it. After a referendum, conversion works began in 1993, and the venue opened to the public in 1995. Since then an association of the same name has run it on behalf of the City of Nyon.

The 2021 expansion

After three years of construction, the city handed the new buildings to the team in March 2021, with the official inauguration planned for September that year. There are now two spaces: a performance hall with retractable bleachers holding 450 standing or 150 seated, and an auditorium with 207 seats. The extension was also covered by architecture publications.

Who runs it?

The organisation employs five professionals and relies on about 150 volunteers, who keep the year-round programme going.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Usine à Gaz? In Nyon, on Lake Geneva, Switzerland.

Is it a museum? No. It is a working cultural centre with concerts, theatre and dance, though the building has an industrial past.

Are there events for children? Yes, shows for young audiences are a regular part of the programme.

How many people does the main hall hold? 450 standing or 150 seated; the separate auditorium has 207 seats.

Should I check the programme first? Yes. The number of evenings per season is limited, so confirm the current calendar on the venue's official site.

Who is it for?

Fans of live music, theatre and dance, and anyone who enjoys industrial architecture paired with a modern extension. A visit to Nyon pairs well with an evening here after a stroll through the old town and along the lake. It is also worth a look during the Visions du Réel festival, to which the venue is connected. For travellers who want to see the local cultural scene rather than the usual tourist sights, it makes a good evening out. The programme mixes regional artists with guests from abroad, so every season looks different.