The Beaune Municipal Council has validated a renovation plan for the Municipal Theater, aimed at improving accessibility for people with reduced mobility and modernizing the fire safety system. With a total budget of €532,200, this work, scheduled from May to September 2026, will make the theater a more inclusive and secure place for all audiences.
The Beaune Municipal Council approved during its meeting on Thursday evening an ambitious program aimed at making the Municipal Theater accessible as well as the replacement of the fire safety system (SSI). This approach is part of the Planned Accessibility Agenda, adopted in 2016, which commits the city to modernizing its infrastructure to guarantee equitable access to all its residents.
Program objectives and content
For several years, Beaune has strived to make its buildings and public spaces accessible, thus strengthening its commitment to the inclusion of people with reduced mobility (PRM). The Municipal Theater, an emblematic place in the city, is among the buildings targeted by this program. At the same time, work to replace the SSI is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and employees.
These two projects will be carried out jointly in order to reduce interruptions in the operation of the theater, thus minimizing inconvenience for users and for cultural activities.
Technical details of the work
1. Accessibility for People with Reduced Mobility (PRM):
– Exterior and interior routes: Creation of an accessible entrance with installation of an elevator or a lifting platform on the north facade of the theater, addition of markings and PMR signage on the routes.
– Performance hall: Adaptation of access to the toilets and study of dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, revising the width of the passages to comply with PMR standards.
– PMR sanitary facilities: Transformation of existing sanitary facilities to integrate a PMR WC, repair of floors, walls and ceilings, installation of acoustic devices and installation of a ventilation system.
– Reception of the public and vertical circulation: Improvements to the stairs (extended handrails and renovated exterior staircase), addition of a PRM tablet on the reception desk and a secondary reception point.
2. Replacement of the Fire Safety System (SSI):
– The current SSI will be replaced by a category A system, including alarm equipment and automated fire detection, with installations planned in the attic and understage.
– The old system and its wiring will be completely removed and evacuated.
– Emergency lighting: Complete modernization of outdated emergency lighting, including devices in the risers, room ceiling lights and portholes in the reception hall.
Work planning
The work program will follow a precise timetable:
– May 2025: Award of the project management contract.
– September 2025: Submission of planning applications.
– December 2025: Publication of calls for tenders for works contracts.
– March 2026: Allocation of lots and obtaining the necessary authorizations.
– May 2026: Start of work.
– September 2026: Final acceptance of the work.
Budget and financing
The total cost of the project is estimated at €532,200 including tax, covering construction, study and technical inspection expenses.
Main positions include:
– Accessibility work: €250,000 excluding tax
– Work to bring the SSI up to standard: €100,000 excluding tax
– Studies, project management and various controls: €93,500 excluding tax
– TVA (20%) : 88 700 €.
This work symbolizes Beaune's commitment to universal access to culture and enhanced security of its public infrastructure, thus contributing to a more inclusive and secure living environment for all its residents.
Sébastien Picard, from the “Pour Beaune Vraiment” group, expressed reservations, describing the completion deadlines as “very optimistic”. He also regretted the absence of thermal insulation work, or at least a diagnosis on this subject.
Jeannette Monarchi
