Le Theatre Francis Gag in Nice

The theatre is located in the very heart of the old town - Vieux-Nice. It is the symbol of Nice and much more than a simple theatre. Named after the famous citizen of Nice - Francis Gag, the establishment implies the cultural and hearty impulse of the very soul of the city. Francis Gag was an intellectual, a historian, a poet, a writer and a humanist The theatre and the cultural centre have a special vocation - to promote the partnership with scholar organizations, amateur and association groups. It has the capacity and equipment for organization and carrying out of conferences, debates, forums, workshops and dramatic performances. Lately it turns more and more to its primal vocation - theatre, music and artistic performance on the stage. The theatre is one of the most beloved in town, the theatre of the people of Nice.

The theatre Francis Gag was established in 1989 after the initiative of the Deputy Mayor of the city of Nice Jacques Medecin. It is named after one of the most characteristic personalities of Nice – the intellectual, artist, poet Francis Gag. The theatre stages all kinds of dramatic art forms, poetry readings, musical performances, etc. It is also related with the folk troupe Belle Nice, thus adding one more segment to the traditional and colourful perception of the southern city.

The patron of the theatre is Francis Gag. He was one of the most popular and loved personalities in Nice. His many initiatives in the field of poetry, theatre, philosophy are cherished and remembered in Nice but also in the collective memories of the national cultural heritage of France. One of Gag’s most popular projects was the establishment of the folk troupe Belle Nice. The troupe was created as a joint initiative with the Deputy Mayor of Nice – Jacques Medecin. The troupe was meant to represent the cultural and folk traditions of the region and the city. It used the original costumes of the local museums and staged various performances. The troupe managed to preserve itself till present-day, having as its beloved home the theatre named after its founder – Francis Gag.

The theatre is located right in the heart of the old town of Nice. As local people say – it is hard to find, but easy to locate – right in the heart of each citizen of Nice. The theatre is supposed to present local and national dramatic art, to cooperate and assist to young talents and most importantly to create. Today, it has a hall for 260 people and remains dedicated to those three vocations. The theatre regularly works with artistic associations and educational institutions, thus sharing the experience of great art and providing conditions for young talents to perform. It also generates some of the most significant local products of art, both when it comes to quality and quantity. Besides drama, many musical performances are also featured in there. And with the folk troupe of Belle Nice it turns into the real symbol of Nice – tradition and contemporary artistic development.

Local people cherish it and those from other parts of France and world cannot help loving it. Unique in its authentic ambiance and provocative in its originality, Le Theatre Francis Gag is one of the best places to really experience the Nicois atmosphere.