Architecture

Le Cosmos

Strasbourg

Le Cosmos is a cinema hall located in Strasbourg, at the corner of 3, rue des Francs-Bourgeois and rue des Sept-Hommes, near place Kléber. Built in 1913, it is one of the oldest cinemas in France and has been listed as a historical monument since 1990. The building was completed in 1913 as the Union Theater, a name chosen in reference to the Union Theater of Alexanderplatz in Berlin. It opened officially with two films, Une chasse au Rhinocéros en Afrique orientale and L’Étudiant de Prague, the latter featuring Hans Heinz Ewers alongside Paul Wegener in the main role. At the end of the 1950s, the theater was renamed ABC and operated under the Gaumont group. It closed in 1986 because of competition from multiplex cinemas, then became a cultural space called L’Odyssée, owned by the city of Strasbourg. Later, it was renamed the Cosmos to evoke travel and imagination. The listed elements include the main facade, lateral facade, roofing, and several interior spaces such as the vestibule, stairwell, foyer, and performance hall.

Map showing the location of Le Cosmos in Strasbourg
Location of Le Cosmos in Strasbourg

Nearby Objects

Historic Cinema at a Central Strasbourg Corner

Intro is a cinema hall located at the corner of 3, rue des Francs-Bourgeois and rue des Sept-Hommes in Strasbourg, near place Kleber. Built in 1913, it is one of the oldest cinemas in France. The building has been listed as a historical monument since 1990, reflecting its recognized heritage value within the city.

From Union Theater to Le Cosmos

The building now known as Le Cosmos began as the Union Theater, completed by Historique in Strasbourg in 1913. The name was chosen in reference to the Union Theater at Alexanderplatz in Berlin. The theater opened officially with two films, Une chasse au Rhinoceros en Afrique orientale and LEtudiant de Prague, the latter featuring Hans Heinz Ewers and Paul Wegener in the main role. At the end of the 1950s, Historique renamed the theater ABC and managed it under the Gaumont group, which also owned the Eldorado, Studio Kleber, and Ritz theaters in Strasbourg. ABC closed in 1986 because of competition from multiplex cinemas. The premises were then converted into a cultural space owned by the city of Strasbourg and called LOdyssee. Renovations were carried out to improve accessibility and make other modifications. The name Le Cosmos was later adopted to evoke travel and imagination.

Protected Architectural Elements

Le Cosmos is officially protected by decree as a set of classified elements. The listing includes the main facade at 3 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, together with its entrance portico and ticket offices. It also covers the corresponding lateral facade with two bays returning on rue des Sept-Hommes, as well as the roofing. Inside, the protected elements include decorative features in the vestibule on the ground floor, the stairwell and staircase leading to the foyer, and the foyer on the first floor with access to the balcony. The large performance hall is also part of the classification, including the stalls on the ground floor and the balcony on the first floor.