Opéra national de Montpellier, Opera house in Place de la Comédie, Montpellier, France
The Opéra national de Montpellier is an opera house at the heart of the city, with a neoclassical facade of columns and ornamental details that defines the main square. Inside, there is a large Italian-style auditorium and a smaller concert hall used for chamber performances.
The building was first constructed in 1755, making it one of the oldest operating opera houses in France. Architect Joseph Cassien-Bernard oversaw a major renovation at the end of the 19th century, and in 2002 the French Ministry of Culture granted it national opera status.
The opera house sits on the Place de la Comédie, the main square of the city and a meeting point for daily life for centuries. The program today covers a wide range, from classical ballet to contemporary productions, drawing audiences from all over the region.
The venue offers guided tours that allow visitors to see the architecture and backstage areas up close. Booking in advance is advisable, as tour slots fill up quickly and capacity is limited.
This opera house is one of the largest Italian-style theaters in France outside Paris, second in size only to the one in Bordeaux. That scale reflects how seriously cities in southern France took the construction of their public cultural buildings in the 18th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
