Pierre Garnier, Artus, Pascal Obispo, discover the program of the new performance hall in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Here is a new Palais des spectacles et des congrès whose name invites you to travel, the Embarcadère. Located on the emblematic site of the former maritime terminal of Boulogne-sur-Mer, this concrete and glass vessel, which opened on September 6, 2024, is set to become an essential cultural place.

L’Embarcadère opened its doors on September 6, 2024 and is hosting its first cultural events in a magnificent brand new building in Boulogne-sur-Mer, between city and port. To find out more, we asked 3 questions to Valérie Scherpereel, director of the Embarcadère.

The Embarcadère is an initiative of the Boulonnais urban community. Elected officials have been considering the creation of a performance hall for many years, and this project has finally come to fruition with financial assistance from the Region, the Department, the State and Europe. It was the Cabinet Stéphane Millet, a renowned architect, who designed this equipment with particular emphasis on acoustic quality. It took two years for construction.

Capable of hosting shows and conferences, it is a very versatile tool. On the cultural side, the Embarcadère has two rooms: a large one which can accommodate between 1,100 and 1,700 people seated, 2,400 people standing, and up to nearly 3,000 people at most, and a small one which can accommodate 400 people standing and around 200 seats.
Since the opening, many shows have been scheduled and some of them are already sold out!
For all types of corporate events, two committee rooms can be made available. We also have the panoramic foyer/bar with a view of the port of Boulogne, which welcomes the public to have a drink or eat during intermissions.

In addition, the Embarcadère offers companies a “turnkey” offer, allowing them to network at the shows of their choice and to receive their partners, clients or employees in a private lounge, while benefiting from a VIP welcome.

Among those that the public voted for, we can cite quite a few comedians: Artus, Laura Laune are full while there are places left for Benjamin Tranié, Manu Payet and even Issa Doumbia. Many song and variety artists will also pass through the Embarcadère: Pascal Obispo and Pierre Garnier are also sold out!

The Boulogne public was waiting for this performance hall!

Valérie Scherpereel, director of the Embarcadère

Yet another proof that the Boulogne public was waiting for this performance hall! Jenifer, Clara Ysé and even Marc Lavoine accompanied by a symphony orchestra also feature in the Embarcadère season, whose stage can host major shows.

Moreover, the Lille National Orchestra will perform there twice, as will Carmina Burana or Celtic Legends, these are shows which have a large number of performers on stage.

The Embarcadère hosts shows for the general public and emerging artists. How do these two programs fit together?

The large hall of the Embarcadère is mainly rented to professional private entertainment entrepreneurs who organize their shows: this is the case for all comedians, most variety artists and certain shows, such as film scores. by Hans Zimmer and John Williams for example.
The small room, l’Escale, is more dedicated to cultural development by welcoming more emerging artists such as Gablé (cinema concert for young audiences) or Not Scientists (rock)… We will also regularly see the Conservatoire du Boulonnais there. and local artists.

Finally, some shows are also scheduled in the main hall of the Embarcadère directly by the team to ensure a varied program. So this season, rap, contemporary circus or dance (The Invincible Sun by the Hervé Koubi Company) are programmed live by the room thanks to the financial assistance of the Boulonnais urban community.
This allows the Embarcadère to offer a wide range of programming aimed at all audiences.

L’Embarcadère, Palais des spectacles et des congrès du Boulonnais, in Boulogne-sur-Mer