Hippodrome of Douai, circus building in Douai, France, now used as a theatre
The Hippodrome of Douai is a circus and theatre building located in the city of Douai in France. It has a twelve-sided shape roughly 35 meters across, features neoclassical stonework with tall columns and a triangular pediment, and holds seating for around 2,200 spectators.
It opened in 1904 as a municipal circus and theatre building serving the local community. After a fire caused damage, it was restored and renovated in 1925 with a new stone facade, and its metal roof framework originally came from a Paris exhibition at the turn of the 20th century.
The building keeps its name from the days when circuses with animals were its main draw, though horses are no longer part of its purpose today. The dodecagon shape and neoclassical columns mark the streetscape, reflecting how entertainment spaces once anchored local community life.
The building sits in central Douai at Place du Barlet and is easy to reach on foot. It is a protected historical monument, so visitors can admire the exterior stonework or attend performances that are held regularly throughout the year.
The metal roof framework was originally designed for a Paris exhibition around 1900 and was later relocated to Douai. This makes it an unexpected example of how architectural components from major Paris exhibitions were repurposed for regional French cities.
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