Architecture

Centre culturel de Bonlieu

Annecy

Centre culturel de Bonlieu is a cultural complex in Annecy whose name comes from the hamlet of Bonlieu in Sallenôves, where the Cistercian community was installed in the premises later associated with the cultural center. Plans for a modern performance hall were studied from the end of 1972 by a Commission Bonlieu, which had no official status but was recognized by interested municipal councillors. After a change of mayor in 1975, the project was included in the 1977 municipal mandate program. Designed by architect Maurice Novarina and Jacques Lévy, construction began in 1978 on the site of the Bonlieu Cistercian convent and the center was inaugurated in 1981. The building includes a large circular hall with two levels of balconies reached by stairs and escalators, and several rooms accessible from these levels. It also contains shops, space for the Annecy city Tourist Office, the Bonlieu Scène nationale Annecy, and the municipal library. The theatre was renovated between 2011 and 2014 and includes three performance rooms, including a creation room intended for small-scale shows and artistic work.

Map showing the location of Bonlieu Cultural Center in Annecy
Location of Bonlieu Cultural Center in Annecy

Nearby Objects

History of the Bonlieu Cultural Center

The name Bonlieu comes from the hamlet of Bonlieu in Sallenoves, where the Cistercian community was installed before its association with the cultural center premises in Annecy. Plans for a new cultural facility began at the end of 1972, when a Commission Bonlieu was created to assess the feasibility of a modern performance hall in Annecy. Although the commission had no official status, it was recognized by municipal councillors who supported the project. After the mayoral change in 1975, the Bonlieu center was included in the municipal mandate program for 1977. Construction was then based on plans by the architects Maurice Novarina and Jacques Levy. Building works began in 1978 on the site of the former Bonlieu Cistercian convent, and the center was completed and inaugurated in 1981.

Architecture and Cultural Role of Bonlieu

The Centre Bonlieu is organized around a large circular hall with two levels of balconies, which are reached by stairs and escalators. From these balcony levels, multiple rooms can be accessed. The hall also includes some shops and a large space for the Annecy city Tourist Office, showing that the complex combines cultural and public services within the same building.

The cultural complex hosts Bonlieu Scene nationale Annecy and is centered on a theatre with three performance rooms: a small 300-seat room, a large 1000-seat room, and a 150-seat creation room. The creation room is intended for small scale shows and artist creation, and it is located in the 'carre', an extension built after two and a half years of work. The theatre was under renovation from 2011 to 2014.

Bonlieu's program includes theatre, dance, circus, music, and youth shows, reflecting a wide cultural offer. The theatre has also achieved a strong public profile, ranking among the top five national stages in France by attendance and subscribers. It was directed by Salvador Garcia from 1986, and since 2023 it has been directed by Bertrand Salanon following Garcia's retirement.

Library and Cultural Functions

The centre Bonlieu also houses the Annecy city municipal library, which functions as a large media library. Its collections include books, discs, films, scores, language courses, and CDs. The library also contains an art library with nearly 2,000 works, and its encyclopedic collection focuses on contemporary French literature and contemporary art. Through its existing network, it provides direct access to approximately documents renewed annually, while borrowing is restricted for common documents, some periodicals, and heritage documents.

Beyond lending and consultation services, the centre Bonlieu hosts cultural conferences and offers display panels for exhibitions. It also includes the offices of the Annecy Tourist Office, along with a tobacco and press shop, a hair salon, fast food chains, a brewery, shops, and management offices. The venue is supported by the Annecy Agglomeration Community, the city of Annecy, the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the Rhone-Alpes Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs, the Haute-Savoie General Council, and the Rhone-Alpes Regional Council.