The Duke of Richelieu, Governor of Guyenne, decided to equip the city with an Opera House that was fitting of such a city, and asked the architect Victor Louis (1731-1800) to oversee the project.
Started in 1773, the construction of the Grand-Théâtre took seven years to complete, and was finished in 1780. This imposing neoclassical building (88 x 47 metres) is capable of holding 1,114 people.
The Grand-Thêatre underwent a final restoration during 1990-1991, recreating the original decoration. Today the Grand Théâtre is unarguably one of the finest pieces of this city that is so marked by XVIIIth century architecture.The Grand-Thêatre presents both theatrical and musical productions, and has seen some of the finest stars of the last century: the Talma, Nourrit,Viardot, Falcon, Duprez, Petipa...
The Grand-Théâtre still offers musicals, ballet and concerts... and is true to its vocation today, more than ever.


