Palais Des Fetes (Festival Palace), Strasbourg

The Festival Palace (Palais des Fêtes) stands as a significant music arena within the Neustadt area of Strasbourg. Initially constructed for the Strasbourg male choral society, this venue held a pivotal role as the primary concert hall in the city and the residence of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra until 1975. Its historical importance was acknowledged in 2007 when it gained the status of Monument historique.

Renowned conductors such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Charles Munch, Bruno Walter, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Karel Ančerl, Pierre Boulez, and Lorin Maazel, among others, have graced the Palais with their presence, conducting guest performances.

The construction of the Festival Palace took place between 1901 and 1903, a period during which Strasbourg was under German rule and served as the capital of Alsace-Lorraine. Notably, this building was an early adopter of reinforced concrete within Strasbourg. Despite the architectural style chosen by Joseph Müller and Richard Kuder being Art Nouveau, the main auditorium featured opulent Neo-Baroque decorations.

In 1933, a significant interior overhaul was carried out in the main auditorium, aligning with the principles of New Objectivity. The stucco work and chandeliers were removed, resulting in a simplified appearance for the organ case. Other sections of the building largely retained their Art Nouveau embellishments, including stained glass and door handles.

After the Philharmonic Orchestra moved to the Strasbourg Convention Centre in 1975, the Palais des Fêtes still held fewer concerts. It's now home to La Philharmonie, a medium-sized orchestra founded in 1900, with three annual performances. The venue also hosts jazz, rock, gospel, and other music genres. The Marseillaise wing of the building is used for the municipal ballet school.