Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre
MonumentHidden Treasure
Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre, located in Rennes (Département 35), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Rennes, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.1114, -1.6786
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090754
In the heart of Rennes, the Theatre and its Galleries form an exceptional neoclassical setting, crowned by a Breton ceiling by Lemordant - an urban jewel that survived the flames and guards a square steeped in history.
History
Standing on a square where the ashes of the 1720 fire still lie, the Théâtre de Rennes and its Galleries form one of the most coherent and elegant urban ensembles in the Breton capital. Framed by two symmetrical arcaded wings, the building combines classical Gabriellian rigour with a perspective worthy of the great French opera houses of the 19th century. What makes this place truly unique is the constant tension between the cold stone of the façade and the lively warmth of the interior. The ceiling of the auditorium, adorned with a Breton farandole painted by Jean-Julien Lemordant, an artist who was blind at the end of his life but a visionary painter, transforms each performance into a double artistic experience: that of the stage and that of the gaze raised towards the vault. The Galeries du Théâtre, built in the second quarter of the 19th century to the specifications imposed by Jacques-Ange Gabriel for the reconstruction of Rennes, extends the building along its sides with its three regular storeys and arcaded ground floor. This covered passageway, the perfect place for a bourgeois stroll, gives the whole complex an atmosphere halfway between the Palais-Royal in Paris and romantic shopping arcades. The square itself is well worth a visit. Filled in from the rubble of the great fire that ravaged Rennes in 1720, it was given several names over the course of several political regimes before finally adopting the name Place du Théâtre in 1832 - a sober name that says it all about the city's cultural ambitions. The café terraces that line it today are part of a tradition of urban sociability dating back to the July monarchy. For photographers and music-lovers alike, for history buffs and architecture buffs alike, this listed building offers a rare experience: that of a living monument, always on show, where stone and paint tell the story of three centuries of Breton and French culture.
Architecture
The architectural ensemble of the Théâtre de Rennes and its Galleries is part of the French neoclassical tradition inherited from the 18th century. The façade of the theatre, rebuilt identically by Millardet after the fire of 1856, is characteristic of the refined Louis-Philippe style, with engaged columns, a sculpted pediment and rigorously ordered bays. The sober but imposing elevation asserts the dignity of the cultural institution without being ostentatious. The two Galeries buildings flanking the theatre are the most directly visible part of the Gabriellian legacy. Conforming to the layout imposed when Rennes was rebuilt after 1720, they have three storeys above a ground floor with arcades forming a covered gallery. This arrangement, typical of French royal squares, creates a continuous, sheltered walkway and a harmonious urban perspective. The regularity of the bays, the light-coloured ashlar and the measured proportions all contribute to this image of classical serenity. The biggest surprise inside the theatre is the ceiling of the auditorium, where Lemordant's Breton farandole unfurls its warm colours and moving figures. This regionalist-inspired mural, painted with encaustic on canvas, contrasts with the rigour of the building's exterior and reminds us that the architecture of the theatre is also an art of the interior. The Italian-style auditorium, with its rows of boxes one above the other, offers acoustics and intimacy that are particularly appreciated by regulars on the Rennes stage.
Related Figures
Jacques-Ange Gabriel — architecte royal, concepteur du plan de reconstruction de Rennes après 1720, dont l'ordonnance architecturale inspire les GaleriesJean-Julien Lemordant — peintre breton (1878-1968), auteur du plafond de la salle de spectacle représentant une farandole bretonneMillardet — architecte chargé de la reconstruction du théâtre à l'identique après l'incendie de 1856Joseph-François Flesselles — intendant de Bretagne qui donna un temps son nom à la placeLouis-Philippe Ier — roi sous le règne duquel fut décidée et réalisée la construction du théâtre (1831-1836)
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre located?
Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre is located in Rennes, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre built?
Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre open to visitors?
Théâtre et immeubles dits Galeries du Théâtre is currently closed to visitors.
