Paloma

SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

Paloma, un vaisseau amiral au cœur de l’Occitanie by Mateo SanchezPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

A flagship in the heart of the Occitan region

Back in 2012, Paloma's walls vibrated for the first time in front of an audience that was discovering what would soon become the emblem of Contemporary Music in Nîmes, but also in the Occitan region. It was love at first sight, a romantic story that has been written on a daily basis since then.

Un chantier XXL by PalomaPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

An XXL site

It would take no less than a year and a half for the beautiful Paloma to rise up from the ground. It was a Dantesque site where each curve was laid with paper on concrete, wood, metal or glass. Like the artists it hosts, it took time to perfect its most beautiful stage costume.

Un vaisseau aux courbes atypique by Deborah RodiguezPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

A vessel with atypical curves

Designed by Jean-Michel Bertreux of the Nantes architecture firm Tetrac, Paloma offers a complex of nearly 5,000m2 across 2 floors, with accommodation, dressing rooms, catering space, offices, rehearsal studios and of course, stages!

Une Graaande Salle qui porte bien son nom by PalomaPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

The Graaande Salle (Laaaarge Hall) is aptly named

With a capacity of 1,400 seats, the Graaande Salle has a stage that is at once deep (9m), wide (20m) and high (12m). These dimensions make it possible to use large-scale sets such as those of Phoenix, Stromae, Clara Luciani, Kraftwerk and Philippe Katerine.

Une Graaande Salle qui porte bien son nom by PalomaPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

Des studios de répétition… sur ressort by Deborah RodiguezPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

Rehearsal studios... on springs

Real boxes in a box, Paloma's seven rehearsal studios are formed of independent chambers placed on springs, so that the vibrations don't spread through the walls. As a result, bands can play loudly and at the same time without getting in each other's way.

Des artistes comme à la maison by Deborah RodiguezPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

A home away from home for artists

The place has six apartments, allowing artists to enjoy long residency periods, so they can rehearse until late in the evening without disturbing the neighborhood. The just have to go downstairs or take the lift to start a new day of work, even in their pajamas!

Mieux que la cantine, le catering ! by Deborah RodiguezPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

Better than a canteen, there is catering!

This is the catering area for artists and teams, as it is known in events jargon. The artists enjoy tasty homemade dishes on site (with locally-sourced ingredients!), in an open kitchen where they can appreciate all the talent of our teams of cooks!

Le Lustre « Mille Pattes » by Maelys GuerreroPaloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole

The "Mille Pattes" Chandelier

Spanning Paloma's main hall from one end to the other, the chandelier created by the TILT company is the backbone of this space and, like a giant garland, it can light its hundreds of bulbs in coordinated or successive ways, or even flash... A guaranteed effect!

Credits: Story

Paloma - SMAC de Nîmes Métropole - https://paloma-nimes.fr/
Creation: Paloma
Photos: ©Mateo Sanchez, ©Deborah Rodiguez, ©Maelys Guerrero, ©Paloma

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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