Opéra Municipal (Municipal Opera House), Marseille

The Municipal Opera House is a key cultural venue for music and performing arts lovers. This grand building opened in 1924, replacing the Grand Theatre of 1787, which had itself succeeded Marseille’s original 17th-century opera house. The earlier theatre was destroyed by fire in 1919, leaving only its neoclassical façade and colonnade intact—elements that were later integrated into the current structure.

Designed by architects Ebrard, Castel, and Raymond, the new opera house was conceived in the Art Deco style, giving it a unique blend of modernism and tradition. Its urn-shaped auditorium seats about 1,800 guests, and the interior combines clean geometric lines with subtle decorative motifs that reflect the optimism of the 1920s. The theatre’s acoustics are exceptional, making it one of France’s finest venues for opera, ballet, and symphonic performances.

The Municipal Opera House has hosted world-class artists, including Alfredo Kraus, Plácido Domingo, and Renata Scotto, and continues to stage a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary productions. Locals are famously passionate about their opera—especially those seated high in the gallery, nicknamed “the gods”, whose sharp ears and lively reactions have long added to the theatre’s character.

Today, the opera house remains a living symbol of Marseille’s artistic spirit. Visitors can admire its stately façade from the square outside or attend an evening performance to experience the grandeur within.