Théâtre National de la Criée, National theater at Vieux-Port, Marseille, France
Théâtre National de la Criée is a former fish market that was converted into a theater in 1981 while keeping its historic exterior. The building contains two performance spaces: a main hall seating around 800 people and a smaller flexible room for about 280 spectators.
The building functioned as a fish auction hall from 1909 to 1976 before being converted into a theater in 1981 under the direction of Marcel Maréchal. This transformation turned it into a major cultural venue for the city.
The building's name comes from its past as a fish market, and you can still see this history written on its outer wall. This connection gives the place a local character that blends two different chapters of Marseille.
The theater offers free workshops for adults and runs special programs for families, students, and groups during the performance season. Its location at Vieux-Port makes it easy to reach and surrounded by other things to explore in the area.
The words 'Criée libre aux poissons' are still carved into the building's facade as a reminder of its days as a fish market. This inscription shows how the city honors and preserves its past.
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