Opéra de Vichy, Art Nouveau opera house in Vichy, France

The Opéra de Vichy is an Art Nouveau theatre built in 1901 and fully inaugurated in 1903, attached to the former Grand Casino (now the Palais des Congrès). Its light stone facade has a curved pediment with a flagpole, a glass-and-metal canopy over three tall arched openings, and round clock faces above the wings. Inside, the 1,482-seat hall is decorated in gold, ivory and yellow.

The first casino, built for Napoleon III by Charles Badger, opened on 2 July 1865 with a theatre hall. The opera wing, designed with Charles Le Cœur and Lucien Woog, was inaugurated on 2 June 1901 with Verdi's Aïda, and the completed interior followed on 31 March 1903. In July 1940 the hall hosted the vote granting full powers to Marshal Pétain. A 1986 fire led to the city's purchase and a 1995 restoration.

The house serves as a meeting place for local arts with regular performances of theater, dance, and classical music. Visitors can sense how the Belle-Époque architecture blends with the contemporary shows that take place here today.

The building sits in central Vichy and is easy to reach on foot from the town center. Evening hours are best for visiting when the lighting enhances the architectural details.

The dome vault painted by Léon Rudnicki carries the faces of five performers: Sarah Bernhardt, Réjane, Coquelin, Cléo de Mérode and Mounet-Sully. The facade sculptures, including Colombine, Harlequin and two masks inspired by Egypt and Mesopotamia, are by Pierre Seguin.