Ledoux Theatre

If you listen closely, you might hear music drifting from the Ledoux Theatre, known for hosting operas, concerts, and all kinds of artistic performances. The architect behind it, Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, drew inspiration from classical amphitheatres and designed the building with a peristyle supported by six columns. It’s located in the heart of a district filled with administrative and private buildings. Back in 1678, Besançon didn’t have a proper performance hall. Instead, shows were held in one of the rooms of the Palais Granvelle, which only had space for 1,200 people. That all changed thanks to the city’s intendant, Lacoré, who handed the project of a grand theatre to the king’s architect, Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, after whom it’s named after. With nearly 2,000 seats spread over 36 rows, it was officially listed as a historic monument in 1928. But in 1958, disaster struck. A fire broke out and nearly destroyed the entire building. It was quickly rebuilt and reopened one year later. The Ledoux Theatre has continued bringing people together ever since.