Concert halls Calvados

Change of direction for the Comédie de Caen, with Aurore Fattier now in charge of the institution's development. The Comédie de Caen is LE 32 in Caen and the CDN in Hérouville. The latter houses a digital workshop for set and costume construction. It showcases both classic and contemporary works. Bonus: the shows aren't just for the well-heeled, and there are packages to suit everyone!

The Cargö has very quickly become the place to be for fans of contemporary music. Its eclectic program, mixing regional, national and even international artists, reaches a demanding public. In 2023, Ziak and Lorenzo are on the bill. The large 1,000-seat hall guarantees memorable emotions, and the 400-seat club offers unique evenings. But the Cargö is also a Rock Info Center with a specialized documentary collection available for free consultation and two rehearsal studios.

It's so good to have a movie in one of the rare human-sized cinemas that still exist in our beautiful country! But who says small, does not say under-equipped: 285 places and 7 places for wheelchairs (which do not always exist in the multiplexes!), balcony of 92 places, comfort seats, Dolby Digital system, surround EX to THX standards (for the experts), all this in an atmosphere to the "Grand Rex" with blue night decoration and starry sky. The Royal has everything of a great one, the charm and the conviviality in more.

As far as we are concerned, we are far from the excessive multiplexes that are projecting only general public films, and show little interest in more intimate works. This 212-seat room allows you to rediscover the convivial atmosphere of the cinemas, and incidentally, to pass rainy days. Reasonable prices and organization of special evenings with debate.

The Zenith needs no introduction! Capable of hosting the biggest shows for all ages and tastes, it's a must-see. Inaugurated on June 19, 1993, its hall attracts 250,000 spectators a year, and can accommodate concerts and events from 900 to 7,000 people. In 2024, the classical masterpiece Swan Lake, Jeff Panacloc and M Pokora have already performed here, but Slimane, Patrick Bruel, Shaka Ponk and Gims are also sure to be in the spotlight. It's THE place for all artists and all genres!

Much more than a cinema, the Lux is a meeting place. Classified as Art et Essai, Recherche et Découverte, and Jeune Public, it defines itself as "militant", so fans beware! With three cinemas accessible to people with reduced mobility (even the smallest cinema in the world with only one seat!), blockbusters screened in their original version or small auteur films, evenings with film crews and previews, there's something for everyone! Inaugurated in 1960, Cinéma Lux also offers a video club, exhibitions and a cafeteria.

It's true, we don't go to Bayeux to haunt obscure rooms. That said, a rain afternoon, when children are saturated with cultural visits, a good canvas, it makes good! The Melies, a friendly atmosphere of a small province in the vicinity of the large impersonal complexes, offers several films per day. And because small room does not mean ringarde programming, the Melies glue up to film news and practical as well digital as the 3 D!

The Arromanches 360 circular cinema overlooks the remains of one of the two artificial harbours installed by the Allies. Produced by the authors of the Apocalypse series, this 9-screen HD film uses archive footage from around the world to tell the whole story of the terrible Battle of Normandy.

Commercial blockbusters, films d'auteur, independent films, original version with subtitles, concerts and plays demonstrate the venue's determination to appeal to all audiences! With 10 theaters and 1,795 seats, plus a 3D and 4DX theater, there's something for everyone. It's up to you to choose, and choose well, because at over 15 euros a ticket, you'd better not choose the wrong film! But we have to admit that the D-Box armchair is surprising.

If we had to award the prize for the most friendly and dynamic local cinema on the coast, we would roll out the red carpet at the Cabieu. Classified as Art et Essai, this cinema can boast of being sponsored by two stars of the 7th art: Catherine Frot and Jacques Perrin, if you please! Debates with the actors, film-snacks, VO sessions, baby movies (for parents with strollers), and even yesterday's movies with the projection of anthology pieces, are part of the credits. A good reputation that has earned it an expansion project: a second theater is underway.

The "32" is a performance hall in the heart of the city and is part of the Centre Dramatique National - Comédie de Caen, based in Hérouville-Saint-Clair. This theater is a place of work and artistic diffusion with, of course, shows, exhibitions, workshops or artists' residences. The programming is eclectic in order to satisfy an always wider public. With many reduced rates, adaptations in LSF or shows for a young audience, the theater is no longer reserved for an elite and wants to be multiple just like its public!

Unique in its kind (already by its look), the theater of Caen bets on the eclecticism: its programming opens to all the genres of the living spectacle. One can thus see operas, concerts, plays, dance shows... A clever trick for students who cannot always afford a ticket for a show, advantageous offers are put in place. Think about it, if you show up 30 minutes before the show, discounts of up to -85% are offered on the seats still available upon presentation of a receipt!

A theater that lives up to its name! The Renaissance has been resurrected, and not just once! Built in 1938, bombed in 1944, ravaged by fire in 1970, it owes its salvation to the municipality of Mondeville, which acquired it in 1992 and renovated it. Restored to its former splendor in 2005, the Renaissance is now run by a dynamic association and is open to a wide range of visitors. With a capacity of 430, the Renaissance offers an eclectic program of music, theater, dance, circus and street arts. This is also the theater that hosts the Plateaux éphémères.

30 years of the BBC! There have been many artists on this stage! Rock may be king, but other musical styles are also making their mark. This year's line-up includes Talisco, Arthur H and Alela Diane. Its strong points: a small (600-seat) but terribly warm venue where you can get right up close to the artists, irreproachable sound quality and a pleasant bar where you can meet your favorite singers. As a Scène de musiques actuelles du Calvados, the club's mission is to support the creation and revitalization of the local music scene.

A group of eighteen permanent professional musicians covers all periods of the classical repertoire. Its mission: to bring together artistic worlds to better create, disseminate and educate all audiences. Forget your preconceptions and discover its performances. There is nothing like a concert to receive and feel the music. Program available on the website, no less than 300 performances (travel throughout the region) are planned per season.

A small neighborhood cinema, with a big one. 3 D projections, two rooms with seats with screens about meters wide, specific equipment for hearing and impaired, nothing missing. Guaranteed entertainment, made available to everyone. The sessions are regular, and the projected films are not suffering too much from the film news. If you stay in Cabourg, don't need to go far to make a painting a day of rain!

Let the one who has never wanted to go to the little corner raise his finger. Finally we must not think of the same... The P'tit Coin is a small intimate theater with 50 seats that allows unknown talents to become known. Certainly, from the outside the building is not very warm but the laughter is shared inside. In addition to this P'tit Coin, the large room opposite can accommodate 200 seats (175 at the table during cabarets). Every year, festivals are organized here several times. Reserve your seats.

Exhibitions of artists, conferences, musical animations... The Grange aux Dîmes of Cambremer, located just behind the church, is a major cultural actor of the town. It offers efficient equipment and above all a magnificent setting. The old stone and the superb framework highlight the creations of local artists who regularly come to present their work. The barn welcomes 12,000 visitors per year, most of them on the first weekend of May, during the Rencontres de Cambremer, a festival of AOC/AOP products.

Reunited with the Conservatoire since 2021, the orchestra is a symphonic group of musicians mastering a wide repertoire from the Baroque period to the present day. Transferred to Caen la Mer in 2003, its missions have been reviewed and expanded with the creation of Appasionato to develop new projects, promoting access to music for as many people as possible and spreading the word about our musical heritage. The Orchestra's season includes not only concerts and recitals, but also festivals and a host of free pre-concerts!

If you're a music lover, the Portobello is the place to be! In fact, Gaëtan and Guillaume, the two friends who own this café-concert, are musicians themselves, so it's a real treat! Eclectic, high-quality programming: you're sure to get an earful! Behind these doors, an intimate room dedicated to live music, with capacity for 150 people. Check out the website for the full program. A good place to come for a drink, before indulging in a concert!