Saumur Theater

Unmissable on your left, this theater—known as Le Dôme—is a graceful neoclassical landmark overlooking both Place de la Bilange and the Loire riverfront. Its elegant facade, with pale stone and Corinthian columns, shelters one of the finest Italian-style theaters in western France. The first theater on this site was built in 1788, thanks to 151 shareholders drawn from Saumur’s most prominent citizens and military officers. That original building was replaced in the 1860s by the one you see today, designed by architect Charles Joly-Leterme. The foundation stone was laid in 1864, and the interior—renowned for its elegance and harmony—was painted by Antoine-Victor Barbereau, known as Saint-Léon. Behind the understated exterior lies a splendid Italian-style auditorium with 423 seats, complete with galleries, balconies, and a ceiling richly decorated with allegorical motifs. Listed as a Historic Monument, Le Dôme has enjoyed many lives: first as a stage for classical theater, then as a cinema during the 20th century, before becoming the cultural heartbeat of Saumur Val de Loire. Today, its stage continues to host theater, dance, music, and exhibitions, carrying on more than two centuries of artistic tradition at the very center of the city.