Theater of Besançon

About

The Ledoux Theatre is a theatre, opera, theatre and concert hall located in the historic centre of Besançon, formerly known as the musical theatre.

In 1768 Charles-André de Lacoré undertook to create a theatre worthy of this name in the new capital of France. The Opera was built between 1778 and 1784 by the architect Claude Joseph Alexandre Bertrand, according to the plans of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. The architecture of the Ledoux theatre is revolutionary. Externally, it is inspired by the simple forms of architecture of antiquity: portico with ionic columns, roof in pyramid trunk. The building is also composed of blue and ochre limestone from the quarries of the Combe-aux-Chiens, near Besançon and forms a Latin cross. Inside, it is an open space, devoid of compartmentalized boxes suitable for Italian theatres, for a better vision. For the same reason, Ledoux places the orchestra in a pit ahead of the stage. A model of the Ledoux theatre is on display at the Royal Saline of Arc-et-Senans. The façade, the entrance hall and the entertainment hall...