Lille Opera facade by Thomas ChénéOpéra de Lille
The opera house is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Come and explore the building with us !
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In 1907, Flemish regionalist Louis-Marie Cordonnier won the architectural competition with a neoclassical design.
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Enter the main entrance to the Lille Opera House…
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The foyer
Taking the grand staircase, the spectator then enters the grand foyer, which spans the entire main façade. Its dimensions are considerable: 315 square meters.
Ceiling of the Grand FoyerOpéra de Lille
Look up to see the painting La rondes des heures by Georges Picard :
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Main auditorium
The Italian-style, domed auditorium includes six dressing rooms, an orchestra pit, a parterre and four galleries, for a total of 1,138 seats. Red and gold, it is lavishly decorated with sculptures by Edgar Boutry.
Caryatids by Thomas ChénéOpéra de Lille
The caryatids
Caryatids representing the seasons frame the proscenium boxes, and the stage is topped by an allegory of the Glorification of the Arts, surmounted by its Latin motto: Ad alta per artes.
Medallions in the auditorium by Thomas ChénéOpéra de Lille
The dome is surrounded by eight medallions painted by Georges Dilly and Victor Lhomme.
Auditorium chandelier by Thomas ChénéOpéra de Lille
The chandelier in the main auditorium
Chandelier in the Grande Salle, surrounded by eight medallions by Victor Lhomme and Georges Dilly, representing the virtues.
(188 bulbs)
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The grids
Les cintres permettent d'attacher en hauteur des éléments au-dessus de la scène : rideaux, décors, lumières.
A l'Opéra de Lille, le service est hybride : une partie des porteuses est mécanique et une autre est totalement informatisée.
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The rotunda
The Opera's former bar-smoking room is located beneath the auditorium. The space takes on a circular shape, surrounded by columns that define its contours.
Statue of the little dancer by Thomas ChénéOpéra de Lille
The rotunda
At the entrance to the Rotonde is the Petite Danseuse sculpted by Hippolyte Lefèbvre.
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The workshop
This is where the props and set elements for the shows are built.
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The dance studio
Cette vaste salle de répétition présente la même surface que la scène de la Grande salle.
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The costume workshop
Here, costume designers work tirelessly to prepare the artists' costumes!
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On the roof
The rooftops of the Lille Opera House offer a breathtaking view of the city...
Honey from the hivesOpéra de Lille
On the roof
Since 2006, beehives have been installed on the roof of the Opéra de Lille, and the honey harvested is offered to guest artists each season!
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