Theatres and concert halls
Performing arts hold a special place in the hearts of the people of the Var. Throughout the region, from grandiose theatres to more intimate venues, the cultural scene is alive with unique experiences.
A variety of cultural venues
The artists promise you unforgettable evenings! The Var's artistic scene is expressed through a wide variety of venues, from the most traditional to the most unexpected. Shows by renowned artists are programmed in venues such as the Zénith in Toulon, one of the largest concert halls in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, or the Galli theatre in Sanary-sur-Mer. The Le Forum intercommunal theatre in Fréjus and Le Carré in Sainte-Maxime are also major venues in the area, offering plays, concerts and dance performances.
The casinos are not to be outdone, with some of them hosting large-scale shows, such as the Pasino in Hyères-les-Palmiers, the Joa casino in La Seyne-sur-Mer and the casino in Sanary-sur-Mer.
Throughout the destination, the programme is as rich as it is varied, promising unforgettable cultural experiences to suit all tastes. You can discover local artists as well as national and international headliners. Theatre, dance, concerts, contemporary circus... the range of artistic events on offer offers you the chance to make real discoveries in the shelter of a cosy auditorium in winter, or in the open air under the stars in summer.
Our suggestions
The great stages of the Var
The national stage
In 2015, the 'Scène Nationale' label was awarded to Châteauvallon and Le Liberté, two emblematic venues on the Var scene directed by Charles Berling. The Théâtre Châteauvallon in Ollioules has been part of the Var cultural landscape since 1964, while the Liberté in the heart of Toulon was inaugurated in 2011. These two theatres combine artistic excellence and multi-disciplinary programming to give people something to see and think about.
Toulon Opera House
Opened in 1862, the Grand Théâtre de Toulon, as it was then known, was one of the largest opera houses in the provinces. It is said to have inspired the Garnier opera house, which was built ten years later. Although it has undergone various maintenance works over the years, a real facelift was initiated in 2023 and will run until 2026. The programme has been maintained, however, with "Hors les Murs" shows presented at various venues around the city.
La Maison des Comoni / Le Pôle
In Revest-les-Eaux, this venue is well known to young audiences. Programmes of theatre, music, dance and contemporary circus performances are organised by LE PÔLE - Arts en circulation. In 2012, the venue was awarded the 'Scène conventionnée pour l'enfance et la jeunesse' label, followed in 2018 by the 'Scène conventionnée d'intérêt national Art en territoire' label. These rich and varied programmes offer shows that are as captivating for children as they are for adults.
Theatres and café-theatres
Theatres and cafés-théâtres dot the region, offering a variety of programmes in a friendly atmosphere that reflects the spirit of each venue. Some theatres offer unique productions, such as the Théâtre Le Rocher in La Garde and its talented resident company Le cabinet de curiosités, or the Compagnie de l'Echo at the Théâtre Denis in Hyères-les-Palmiers.
As for comedy and café-théâtre, Le Colbert in Toulon is now a must-see thanks to its year-round programme of well-known and talented comedians. In Cogolin, the stars of tomorrow meet up at the café-théâtre Le Lézard, every weekend at 8.44pm sharp! Other venues dedicated to comedy, such as the Porte d'Italie café-théâtre in Toulon and the Espace Félix Martin in Saint-Raphaël, programme the comedies of the moment and also organise annual Laughter Festivals. Further west, the Théâtre Daudet in Six-Fours-les-Plages welcomes both local and established artists who come to work on a new show in a relaxed atmosphere. The café-théâtre 7ème Vague in La Seyne-sur-Mer, meanwhile, is a veritable theatre-laboratory, offering theatre, cinema and concerts.
Photos © Le Lézard Cogolin
The magic of open-air theatres
Our particularly mild climate means we have a number of open-air theatres. Festivals, shows, concerts, open-air cinema screenings- a wide variety of performances during the summer season can be enjoyed under a starry sky. The Théâtre de Verdure in Ramatuelle is a veritable showcase for music and theatre festivals. As for the Châteauvallon amphitheatre in Ollioules, the shows take place against a backdrop of dense pinewoods stretching all the way to the sea.
All theatres and concert halls
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