visit in pictures after 18 months of work

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Mecca of culture in Challans, Le Marais theater had closed its doors since March 31, 2023. After 18 months of work, the rehabilitation and energy renovation project is finally finished. The building has benefited from an in-depth restructuring, in order to improve its performance, particularly energy performance, as well as the comfort of spectators.

Tribute to Jean Mourain, man of the theater

This program offers a real facelift to this building, built in 1950 according to the plans of Jean Mourain (1903-1984), largely inspired by the Italian machinery of the Odéon theater in Paris. A moving tribute was also paid to this visionary Challandais.

When he looked at a work in progress, he said: “you have to please the eye”. He pushed Mayor Victor Charbonnel to invest to beautify and expand our town. And the mayor replied: “Mourain is a pain in the ass but it takes some.”

Having worked hard for the development of his city as a municipal councilor, Jean Mourain led the association Friends of the theater that he had created to the top, with the title of best troupe of the year in 1960.

The square (theater parking lot) now bears his name.

If Jean Mourain had not insisted that this building, originally intended to be only a cinema hall, was also equipped with a stage for playing plays, I think he would not have been preserved until today. It would probably have been demolished.

A cost of more than €3 million

The renovation work program, the cost of which amounts to €3.25 million, subsidized to the tune of €700,000, mainly includes:

• the redevelopment of the performance hall, with the replacement of the old imitation leather armchairs, improving accessibility for people with disabilities, and the increase in the capacity which goes from 261 to 279 people.
• replacement of projectors and speakers,
• new frames, joinery and roofing, because the old ones were too damaged over time.

440 people expected at the open house

Saturday October 5, the public will be able to discover the renovated theater during a fun visit, giving them access to rooms usually reserved for technicians and artists. To facilitate reception, groups will leave every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last departure at 5 p.m.).

With 440 registered, there are no more places available. However, people who do not have tickets can still try their luck by going to the venue because places may become available on the day.

We are in a setting. This theater has a real history with many Challandais, and not only because they came to see shows there. Many performed on stage in their youth. The Marais has a soul, which we want to preserve. These meetings between the public and the artists are important. Here, we are not in front of a screen. This configuration, with a small capacity of less than 300 people, allows this relationship.

In addition, the day will end with a musical show, from 6 p.m. on Place Jean Mourain, free and without reservation. In O captain, my captainthe team of majorettes Queen a man will resonate the hits of the legendary singer Freddie Mercury.

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