Graslin Opera House

The Graslin Opera, jewel of the chic district

The Nantes audio-guided tour takes you to Place Graslin, the heart of the district of the same name and the chic side of the city. This whole ensemble, elegant and refined, was conceived in the eighteenth century by Louis-Joseph Graslin, and culminates with the theatre, today the Graslin Opera.

A district born of a dark era

At that time, Nantes was experiencing rapid growth, but this wealth had a painful origin: it came largely from the slave trade, which deported men, women and children from Africa to the colonies. The enrichment of the Nantes merchants led to the construction of many private mansions and public buildings. It was in this opulence that the Graslin Opera was born: in 1780, Louis-Joseph Graslin entrusted the construction of the theatre to the architect Mathurin Crucy. This memory deserves to be recalled with gravity.

What there is to see

The Graslin theatre raises its columned façade on the square, in the purest neoclassical style. Still active, it hosts the programme of Angers Nantes Opéra, with operas, concerts and dance performances throughout the year. Around the square unfold the fine façades of the bourgeois district and the famous brasserie La Cigale, which faces it.

Practical information

The Graslin Opera is on Place Graslin, in the heart of Nantes. The hall welcomes the public according to the programme of Angers Nantes Opéra; the conditions of access to performances vary according to the shows. The façade and the square can be contemplated freely at all hours.

Who built the Graslin Opera?

The theatre was built from 1780, on the initiative of Louis-Joseph Graslin, by the Nantes architect Mathurin Crucy.

What can you see today at the Graslin Opera?

Still active, it offers operas, concerts and dance performances as part of the programme of Angers Nantes Opéra.