Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux

A true architectural jewel, precious, sublime, impressive and with a fascinating history. That would be an apt way to describe the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, or Grand Théâtre, an obligatory stop on any travel itinerary.
We know for a fact that Bordeaux has such important and impressive historic buildings that they are jaw-dropping. Among those, the Grand Théâtre, occupies a special place on the list, without leaving aside its long and outstanding history.

What is the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux?

Developed on the Place de La Comédie, the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux has a past of more than 300 years. It shines and stands out for its architectural beauty, which leaves everyone who visits it in love.
Of Bordeaux’s public buildings, this one is ranked as one of the most popular. It is developed on the land that in the past occupied the temple of the Piliers de Tutelle. This, in turn, bordered the old Gallo-Roman forum of the city.

History of the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux

Around 1770, Marshal Richelieu, governor of the province of Guyenne, established a kind of modernization for the city of Bordeaux. This included the construction and improvement of various public spaces, as well as squares and buildings, such as the Grand Théâtre.
Bordeaux had an old theater, located in the vicinity of the town hall, near the Grosse Cloche. However, in 1755 it was destroyed by a voracious fire, so it was necessary to build a new establishment.
It was then that Marshal Richelieu himself hired the Parisian-born architect Victor Louis to take charge of the work. The work began in 1773 and lasted seven years. It was in 1780 that it was finally inaugurated, with Athalie’s performance.
The building has an impressive appearance and pays a kind of homage to the ancient temples. It has 12 Corinthian-style columns that adorn the facade. Each of them has a statue at the top, made of stone. Nine of these correspond to muses and the other three to goddesses of ancient Greece.
Inside, the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux has a large foyer with an impressive staircase leading to the auditorium. It is divided into two ramps, one on each side, to give access to the boxes.
Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown is the impressive theater hall, with a capacity of more than a thousand people. Over time it has undergone several renovations, returning to the original colors of the building, blue, white and gold.

On the ceiling, you can see a beautiful fresco that was painted by Jean-Baptiste and Claude Robin, who shape the dome. Another detail worth noting is the chandelier, weighing approximately one ton and with more than 400 lights.
Today, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux remains the cultural heart of the city. In fact, the Bordeaux National Opera and the National Orchestra of Bordeaux gather here to perform their shows. It also hosts ballet performances, symphonic concerts and more.

Opening hours and prices of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

When it is not offering performances, it can be visited to eat each of its facilities, as well as its wonderful history.
It is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The price per person for the guided tour is 10 €, with a duration of approximately 50 minutes.

How to get to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux?

Getting to the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux is really easy. It is in the heart of the city, right on the Place de la Comédie, so it will not be difficult to find it.

Visiting the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux on a Free Tour

There is no doubt that the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux is a true wonder that deserves to be enjoyed. That’s why having a free tour is a real advantage, especially if this is your first time in the city.

In addition to the fact that the tour is adapted to your language, they are led by locals. You will be able to know in detail its wonderful history, which will leave you delighted, because here you can breathe a special magic.

In Free Walking Tours we have a wide variety of FreeTours and Private Tours to choose from. Please, don’t hesitate to take a look at our website!