Opéra de Lille (Lille Opera)

Opera House in Lille

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Daniel VILLAFRUELA.

The Opéra de Lille is a distinguished example of Neoclassical architecture, elegantly positioned alongside Lille’s Chamber of Commerce and the Old Stock Exchange on the Place du Théâtre. The current building was constructed between 1907 and 1913, replacing the original opera house from 1785, which was tragically destroyed by fire in 1903.

Designed by Louis Marie Cordonnier, who won a design competition for the project, the opera house reflects the Belle Époque spirit through its graceful proportions and sculptural embellishments. The grand façade features a richly detailed pediment relief by Hippolyte Lefèbvre, flanked by bas-reliefs by Alphonse-Amédée Cordonnier and Hector Lemaire. Inside, the theatre is adorned with sculptural work by Edgar-Henri Boutry, creating an atmosphere of refined opulence and artistic excellence.

Though its architectural vision was bold, the building’s completion was disrupted by World War I. In July 1914, German forces occupying Lille seized the unfinished opera house, removing furnishings and equipment to repurpose them for the Théâtre Sébastopol. After the war, the building was finally completed and inaugurated in 1923, reopening as the Grand Théâtre with a celebrated French premiere. A second major challenge came in 1998, when the theatre closed mid-season due to structural issues. Following a meticulous renovation, it reopened in 2004, coinciding with Lille’s European Capital of Culture year. Today, the Opéra de Lille stands not only as a cultural institution but also as one of the city’s most admired architectural landmarks.

The Opéra de Lille (Lille Opera) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lille!

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