← All places
Monument

The Theater

Calais, Opal Coast

About this place

Like City Hall, the theater was built following the merger of the cities of Calais and St. Pierre in 1885. Émile Loubet, President of the French Republic, laid the cornerstone in 1903, accompanied by Mr. Basset, mayor of Calais.

Construction then began under the supervision of architect Malgras-Delmas.

Built in the Louis XIV style, the façade features four groups of columns on the first floor; if you look closely, you’ll notice four statues representing the four performing arts (comedy, poetry, music, and dance).
On the second floor, you’ll also notice four busts honoring the playwrights Alain-René Lesage, Guillaume Pigault-Lebrun, Pierre de Belloy, and the composer Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny.

Modeled after the Palais Garnier, this theater—ranked third in France since its inauguration—features a 1,400-seat auditorium arranged in a horseshoe shape, a 100-square-meter stage, and excellent acoustics. The 83 operas that inspired the sets have made this sumptuous Baroque-style theater one of the most beautiful in France.

Located on Place Albert Ier, it stands next to the “Le Jacquard” monument, dedicated to the memory of Joseph Jacquard, famous for his contributions to the development of lace—a true treasure of the city of Calais.

In addition to a rich and varied program, the theater offers guided tours that will delight visitors of all ages, giving them the privilege of exploring the dressing rooms or stepping onto the stage—just like the great artists who, for the duration of the tour, find themselves at the top of the bill.

Photos of this place

No photo of this place yet

Been to The Theater? Your photo would be the first to illustrate this page — credited to your name or pen name.

Submit a photo

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Calais.

Culture 19 September → 13 December

De Latour & Maïques Exhibition: Metamorphosis

Calais

To mark the third edition of “Faiseurs de mode,” the Cité de la dentelle et de la mode is presenting the exhibition “Métamorphose” by the Latour & Maïques studio. From September 19 to December 13, 2026, visitors will discover an installation where material takes center stage in the creative process. Vincent Richard de Latour and Claire Maïques blend traditional textile finishing techniques with contemporary processes to create unique fabrics designed for haute couture, ready-to-wear, and interior design. Meet the creators: Sunday, September 20, at 3:00 p.m., during European Heritage Days, the artists will offer a behind-the-scenes look at their work and their approach to textile finishing. Contemporary Patchwork Workshop: A Textile Fusion: On Saturday, November 21, participants can experiment with the textile finishing techniques developed by the studio. Price: €20.
category.Conférence 15 October

Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman: A Meeting Between Students and Professionals

Calais

As a follow-up to the exhibition “Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman: Haute Couture, Design, Art,” the two designers reflect on their careers, sources of inspiration, experiences, and collaboration. Their discussion sheds light on the realities of contemporary design. The talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience. This event is intended for students and fashion professionals. Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Free with reservation; limited seating: 03 21 00 42 48 or cidm-reservation@mairie-calais.fr. Access limited to 60 people per institution.
category.Conférence 15 October

Haute Couture and Design: A Public Event with Lydia Kamitsis

Calais

Maurizio Galante, Tal Lancman, and Lydia Kamitsis, the curatorial director of the exhibition “Haute Couture, Design, Art,” are hosting a discussion open to the public. They will speak freely about their careers, their creative practices, and their approaches to thinking about and exhibiting creativity at the intersection of disciplines, and will reflect on their collaboration and the projects that have shaped their work. The talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Duration: approximately 1 hour. Free with reservation.

Other places to discover

Monument

Former Municipal Prison

Bourbourg

This building was designated a prison in 1550. Its facade, roof, and dungeons are listed as Historic Monuments. The building has served as a prison since the 16th century. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it still contains the jailer’s quarters, as well as the prisoners’ cells and dungeons. A unique and authentic place that immerses you in the prison world of days gone by.
Monument

Les Fontinettes Boat Elevator

Arques

Located in the town of Arques, this boat lift is the only one of its kind in France. Built between 1881 and 1887, it was designed to replace a series of five locks on the Neufossé Canal, as it was impossible for boats to navigate the 13.13-meter elevation difference between the Aa and the Lys rivers.Designed by engineers Bertin and Edwin Clark, the hydraulically operated lift consisted of two water chambers that balanced each other out, allowing barges to be raised and lowered. The last boat passed through the lift in 1967. Designated a Historic Monument in 2014, the site was saved from demolition twelve years after it ceased operations, thanks to an association from Arques. Now open to the public, the museum features three rooms—an exhibition hall, the blacksmith’s shop and video room, and the repair workshop—that are sure to delight visitors.
Monument

Bergues Belfry

Bergues

This is the third belfry built on this site. It was rebuilt in 1961 after being destroyed by fire (May 30, 1940) and then by dynamite (September 16, 1944) by the Germans. It largely follows the design of the previous belfry. As you climb the 206 steps, you can visit four themed exhibition halls. At a height of 47 meters, it features a magnificent open belfry housing the carillon’s 50 bells. At its summit stands Nicolas, the lion from the city’s coat of arms, serving as the weather vane. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 15, 2005, and featured in the 2008 film “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis,” the Belfry now houses the Tourist Office, the Espace Beffroi, and vacation rentals. It is open to visitors in small groups of up to 19 people at a time, by scheduled time slot. For those who do not wish to climb the 206 steps, a virtual tour is available. Exceptional closures on the morning of December 2 and the afternoon of December 5.
Monument

Dunkerque Belfry

Dunkerque

Built of a combination of red brick and stone, the belfry stands 75 meters tall. Above the central balcony stands an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, who repurchased the city from the English in 1662. A large stained-glass window depicting Jean Bart’s triumphant return after his victory at the Battle of Texel in 1694 illuminates the belfry. One elevator ride and 65 steps up, you can admire the carillon.
Monument

Gravelines Belfry

Gravelines

Fully integrated into City Hall, the belfry is visible only from the outside. It once housed the city’s dungeons, which have fortunately been replaced today by the municipal museum. The building, which stands 70 meters tall, rests on a very simple square tower. At the platform level, the first scrollwork decorations appear, and the fourth floor is adorned on each side with a mullioned window decorated with friezes. An octagonal lantern crowns the top and houses a two-metric-ton bell named Danièle, Marie, Pauline, Henriette—the first name of the donor’s mother, who funded the belfry’s reconstruction at the end of the 19th century.
Monument

Temple Tax

Saint-Aubin

This blue stone farmhouse is believed to date from the late 12th century, based on the masonry of its walls, which is similar to that of the church in Dimont and the tower in Saint-Waast-la-Vallée.

Nearby — our partners