Michel Portal Theatre

The Michel Portal theatre

A stop on the Bayonne audio-guided tour, the Michel Portal theatre stands on place de la Liberte, along the Nive. A particularity: it serves as both a theatre and a town hall.

A building with a dual purpose

Built between 1837 and 1842 by Nicolas Vionnois, it replaced the former eighteenth-century theatre. From its beginnings, it housed the theatre, the town hall services and the customs service. On the night of 31 December 1889, a fire ravaged the town hall wing and part of the theatre roof.

What to see

The repairs took two years for the town hall and a few weeks for the theatre. Restored and renovated several times, the building is now a national stage of the South-Aquitaine. Admire its fine facade by the Nive, in the heart of Bayonne's cultural life.

Practical information

The Michel Portal theatre is on place de la Liberte, by the Nive, in Bayonne. Programming and show times should be checked depending on the season with the institution.

What is special about the Michel Portal theatre ?

It serves as both a theatre and a town hall, since its construction between 1837 and 1842.

What happened in 1889 ?

A fire ravaged the town hall wing and part of the theatre roof.