Contemporary · Architecture

Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse

Lyon

Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse is a theatre building in Lyon, located on place Joannès-Ambre. Designed by Michel Roux-Spitz, the hall was constructed between 1924 and 1929 around a reinforced concrete structure with rammed earth infill. It is topped with an octagonal dome overlooking the large room, giving the building a distinctive architectural profile.

The building occupies the former La Croix-Rousse festival hall, commissioned by Édouard Herriot and inaugurated to host theater, cinema, conferences, balls, and banquets. In 1980, the interiors were restored by Georges Bacconnier and adapted to the needs of the Maison de la Danse. The hall became Maison de la danse in 1980, an institution initiated by five Lyon choreographers and supported by Joannès Ambre, then Culture Deputy of Lyon city. Later, Lyon city appointed Guy Darmet as head of the institution. Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse is part of this broader history of cultural use and adaptation in Lyon.

Map showing the location of Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse in Lyon
Location of Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse in Lyon

Nearby Objects

Design and Interior Restoration

The Theatre of la Croix-Rousse is located in Lyon, on place Joanness-Ambre. The building was designed by Michel Roux-Spitz. In 1980, Georges Bacconnier restored the interiors of the theatre. These facts place the building within the architectural and cultural fabric of the Croix-Rousse area, while also highlighting a later intervention that renewed its interior spaces.

From Festival Hall to Theatre

Histoire is installed in the former La Croix-Rousse festival hall, a venue commissioned by Edouard Herriot. The hall was inaugurated to host theater, cinema, conferences, balls, and banquets, reflecting a broad public and cultural role from the outset. In 1980, it became Maison de la danse, an initiative led by five Lyon choreographers and supported by Joannes Ambre, then Culture Deputy of Lyon city. Lyon city appointed dance journalist Guy Darmet to head Maison de la danse.

In 1992, Maison de la danse moved from Place Joannes-Ambre to Theatre du . Two years later, Lyon city, the Ministry of Culture, and the Rhone-Alpes region assigned management to Philippe Faure. Theatre de la Croix-Rousse was then created with the slogan . After Philippe Faure's death, Jean Lacornerie succeeded him as director, and Courtney Geraghty later succeeded Jean Lacornerie. The sequence of changes shows the building's continued adaptation across different cultural functions and leaderships.

Architecture and Interior Transformation

La salle was designed by architect Michel Roux-Spitz and constructed between 1924 and 1929. Its structure was built in reinforced concrete with rammed earth infill, and it is topped with an octagonal dome overlooking the large room. In 1980, architect Paul Bacconnier transformed the interior of La salle, adapting it to the needs of the Maison de la Danse.