Visiting the Lyon Opera House
Located on the Place de la Comédie in Lyon, directly across from the Hôtel de Ville de Lyon (Lyon City Hall), you will find the opera house. First constructed in the mid-19th century, it remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.
History
The city established a venue known as the Grand Théâtre back in 1756. It was built by architect Jacques Germain Soufflot, who had previously worked on the renovation of the Hôtel-Dieu. The site chosen at the time was the jardins de l'hôtel de ville (City Hall gardens). This theater was demolished in 1826 and subsequently rebuilt in 1831 by Antoine-Marie Chevanard and Jean-Marie Pollet.
In 1986, a competition was launched to bring the opera house up to modern standards. The project was awarded to Emmanuel Blamont and the celebrated Jean Nouvel (known for the Musée du quai Branly, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Dentsu Tower in Tokyo). They chose to go far beyond a simple building renovation, preserving only the protected historical sections while completely redesigning the rest. Construction began in late 1989 and wrapped up in 1993.
Today, the building spans 18 levels. The first 5 are located underground, while the top 5 are tucked beneath the massive glass barrel vault at its summit.
The Lyon Opera House
With an annual budget of 35 million EUR (about $38 million), the Lyon Opera House is currently working to diversify its programming. Its 1,100-seat auditorium remains the primary home for the Opéra national de Lyon (National Opera of Lyon) and the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon (Lyon Opera Ballet). However, an increasing number of concerts are held here as part of an effort to attract a younger audience.
Each year, the opera house hosts backstage tours that offer a look behind the scenes of this impressive structure. The building also opens its doors during the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) for special tours covering all 17 levels.
Whether you appreciate the artistry or the architecture, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Lyon Opera House.
The Lyon Opera House was renovated by Jean Nouvel, which creates an original marriage between the classic and the modern, with a beautiful glass roof sitting over the old stone walls. The auditorium, completely black, has incredible acoustics.
I went there many times as a student using cultural tickets for young people. Unfortunately, prices become very high afterward, but you have to keep an eye out for programs that are more accessible to everyone. Breakdancers have always practiced on the plaza in front of the Opera.