Théâtre de Belfort

Belfort has a theatre of its own, and the performing arts are one of the pleasures of an evening in the town, which is best known for its citadel and the great stone lion beneath it. The main institution is the Scène nationale de Belfort, known by the name Le Granit, which belongs to the national network of theatres supported by the French state and local authorities. It programmes theatre, dance, music, circus and puppetry, and it welcomes companies from France and abroad. The building has a long history, going back to the nineteenth century, and its Renaissance-style façade is part of the townscape, while the interior has been rebuilt and modernised in recent decades, most notably in a renovation in the 1980s and again in recent years.

The venue is made up of several spaces. The Grande Salle, a traditional hall with seating for about five hundred spectators, is used for the larger productions, while a studio offers a smaller, more flexible room for experimental work and works for young audiences. The Maison du Peuple, a separate hall with a larger capacity, is used for concerts and bigger events. The mixture of old and new architecture is part of the interest, and the theatre has a reputation as one of the active cultural centres of Franche-Comté.

A season at the theatre runs from the autumn to the spring, with a varied programme. Puppet theatre is among the specialities, with French and international companies presenting works that range from traditional shows to modern performances for adults, and the theatre also supports artists through residencies, training and workshops. It also hosts conferences and cultural events, and offers guided visits of the building on certain days, such as on heritage weekends in September, when the backstage and the halls can be seen. Reduced prices are offered to young people, including a low fixed rate for those aged eighteen and under, and ticket sales are mainly online and at the box office on the Rue Jean de la Fontaine. Check the programme and the opening hours before planning a visit, as the building is mostly open for performances.

A night at the theatre goes well with a day in Belfort. The Lion of Belfort, the huge sandstone sculpture by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the citadel above it, with its museum and ramparts, are the main sights. The Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie, the Marché Couvert and the old town centre are within a short walk, and the Fort de Joux, a mountain fortress farther away in the Jura, is a longer excursion.

The theatre suits visitors who want to see how the town lives culturally, and it is a good option for a rainy evening. Performances are in French, but dance, music and puppet shows are easy to enjoy without much language.