Attractions and Places To See around Mailly-Champagne - Top 20

A magnificent architectural jewel nestled in the heart of this historic French city. This elegant opera house, with its rich history and vibrant programming, plays a vital role in the cultural life of Reims, captivating audiences with its splendid performances and significantly contributing to the city's artistic identity. The origins of the Opéra de Reims date back to the 19th century. Built in 1873, the original structure, designed in the neoclassical style, was a testament to the city's ambition and its thriving cultural scene. However, the devastation of the First World War severely damaged the building, leaving it in ruins. This setback, however, did not deter the city's commitment to the arts. The opera house was meticulously rebuilt in the 1930s, embracing the then-popular Art Deco style. Architects François Maille and Louis Sollier skillfully blended historical elements with the sleek lines and geometric shapes characteristic of the Art Deco movement, creating a unique and captivating architectural statement. The result is a building that seamlessly blends historical grandeur with modern aesthetics, a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to the arts. https://operadereims.com/

Unfortunately, performances are only irregular, so check the program in good time.

The cycle path offers the possibility to park outside and cycle into the city in a relaxed manner.

The opera, with its 750-seat Italian Hall, is a must-see on any tour of Reims' Art Deco heritage. Behind the preserved 19th-century facade, the architects completely restructured the interior in the spirit of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris after the First World War: bas-reliefs, ironwork, chandeliers, paintings...

The square sits on the site of the ancient Roman forum of Durocorturum and follows the original Roman street layout with the main axes (Cardo and Decumanus). The architect Jean-Gabriel Legendre was married to the sister of Sophie Volland, who was the famous correspondent of philosopher Denis Diderot.

a historic square in central Reims that was built in the 18th century after demolishing a maze of narrow medieval streets that were so cramped that Queen Marie Leszczyńska couldn't pass through with her carriage. The square was designed by architect Jean-Gabriel Legendre and features orderly architecture typical of royal squares, with a central monument that originally honored Louis XV but was replaced after the French Revolution. Construction began in 1758 and cost 620k livres, significantly more than originally budgeted, and the square remained incomplete until 1910.

The theater's opening night on March 3, 1873, featured prestigious performers from the Comédie-Française and Paris Opera, and the venue was one of the first in the region to replace gas lighting with electricity in 1888 for enhanced fire safety.

The Reims Opera House was designed by local architect Alphonse Gosset and inaugurated in 1873, featuring neoclassical exterior architecture combined with distinctive Art Deco interior decoration added during its 1931 reconstruction. The original theater was destroyed during World War I when German bombardment caused the dome and grand chandelier to collapse, making it the last public building to be reconstructed in Reims after the war. The current venue seats 790 people and boasts impressive technical facilities with three levels below the stage for machinery and four levels behind for dressing rooms.