La Coursive

What La Coursive does

La Coursive Scène Nationale La Rochelle is a French public performing arts institution founded in 1992, designated as a Scène Nationale by the Ministry of Culture, and operating three on-site performance spaces (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue) from its headquarters at 4 rue Saint-Jean du Pérot in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime. It programs a multi-disciplinary season across theater, contemporary circus, dance, jazz, classical music, and cinema, sourcing productions from companies based in France, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium, the USA, and Guinea. There is no proprietary technology platform; the venue is a physical cultural institution using an outsourced online ticketing platform (la-coursive.notre-billetterie.com) alongside box office, telephone, and group sales channels. The institution is classified as a non-profit public cultural establishment, not a software product, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

The business model is hybrid and subsidy-anchored. The financial backbone consists of recurring public subsidies from the Ministry of Culture, regional Nouvelle-Aquitaine authorities, and the City of La Rochelle, layered with earned income from a five-tier individual ticket pricing system (♥ ♦ ♣ AS DE ♥ ♠, ranging from €14 to €44+), annual membership (La Coursive Card at €7–€13), season subscription bundles (Le Carré and Le Carré Famille, priced €52–€80 per season), cinema admissions (€4.50–€8.50), gift certificates, and on-site bar/restaurant revenue (L'Avant-Scène). The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via the box office, phone, online, and a dedicated public relations team managing group, school, and corporate sales. Customer segments are deliberately diversified across general public, families, school groups, university students (notably through a partnership with the Université de La Rochelle and integration with France's national Pass Culture program), people with disabilities (supported by audiodescription and magnetic loop systems), and group subscribers (Collectivités, Comités d'Entreprise, Associations). Distribution is reinforced by a reciprocity network of five partner theaters across Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Rochefort, Angoulême, Niort, Poitiers, La Roche-sur-Yon) and a co-presentation partnership with Mille Plateaux – CCN La Rochelle.

Name

La Coursive

Legal name

La Coursive Scène Nationale La Rochelle

Website

https://la-coursive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Coursive Scène Nationale La Rochelle is a French public performing arts institution operating three theater spaces and a satellite venue, presenting theater, dance, circus, music, and cinema to the La Rochelle public, families, students, schools, accessibility audiences, and corporate groups, funded primarily through public subsidies and ticket sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live theater performances
• Cultural event programming
• Season ticket subscriptions
• Cinema screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

La Rochelle

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Subsidies and Cultural Grants: As a 'Scène Nationale' (French national stage), La Coursive receives public funding from national, regional, and local government bodies, which forms the primary financial backbone of the institution.
2. Ticket Sales and Admissions: Revenue from individual performance and cinema tickets across all three venues (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue). Tickets sold at box office, by phone, and online with tiered pricing categories (♥ ♦ ♣ AS DE ♥ ♠).
3. Subscriptions (Le Carré and Le Carré Famille): Season subscriptions bundled as 'Le Carré' (4 shows: 3♥ + 1♦ for 80€ individual) and 'Le Carré Famille' (4 family-selected shows for 72€ adult / 48€ child), requiring purchase of the La Coursive Card.
4. La Coursive Card Membership: Annual card membership sold at 13€ individual / 12€ groups / 7€ Joker (under-26, job seekers, social benefit recipients), providing discounted tickets and priority booking. Offered free to members purchasing 3+ Carré subscriptions.
5. Cinema Admissions: Separate cinema ticketing with standard pricing at 8.50€, reduced rates for card holders (6.50€), and loyalty cards for 10 (60€) or 20 (110€) sessions.
6. On-site Bar/Restaurant (L'Avant-Scène): On-site bar-brasserie service complementing the theater experience.
7. Gift Certificates (Chèques-Cadeaux): Gift certificates for shows sold at the box office and online, valid for one year from purchase date.
8. Cultural Actions and Educational Programs: Revenue from school group bookings, workshops, and cultural action programs targeting students and young audiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

La Coursive Scène Nationale La Rochelle is a French public performing arts venue that programs and presents live theater, dance, contemporary circus, jazz, classical music, and cinema across three on-site performance spaces (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue). It sells tickets, season subscriptions (Le Carré), and annual membership cards (Carte La Coursive) directly to the public, supplemented by educational outreach, group sales, and accessibility services. The institution operates as a designated Scène Nationale under the French Ministry of Culture, drawing on public subsidies and self-generated box-office revenue.

Product overview

La Coursive Scène Nationale is a French performing arts venue in La Rochelle operating a multi-venue complex (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue). Its core offering consists of live performances across disciplines (theater, dance, circus, music) and cinema programming. The venue operates a membership system (Carte La Coursive) and subscription packages (Le Carré), supplemented by cultural outreach programs for schools, families, students, and groups. Additional services include backstage tours, an on-site bar/restaurant (L'Avant-Scène), accessibility services (audio description, subtitling, hearing loops), and a ticketing platform. The venue also hosts the annual Extravaganza festival and 'Concerts au chocolat' concert series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Théâtre et Spectacles Live theater, dance, and circus performances presented across three on-site venues (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue), featuring national and international artists and companies.
• Cinéma Movie screenings including general programming, a dedicated Ciné-Club Étudiant for university students, and audio-described films for visually impaired audiences.
• Carte La Coursive Annual membership card (13€ individual / 12€ group / 7€ Joker) granting preferential pricing on performances and cinema, priority booking, installment payment, and reciprocal discounts at five regional partner theaters.
• Le Carré (Abonnement Saison) Season subscription bundling four performances (3 ♥ + 1 ♦) at 80€ individual, with Le Carré Famille variant (72€ adult / 48€ child) for families with children up to 15 years.
• Extravaganza Festival Annual festival featuring diverse performances and cultural events, including the 'Concerts au chocolat' music-and-chocolate-tasting series.
• Visites de la Coursive Behind-the-scenes guided tours covering the grand stage, wings, orchestra pit, control rooms, and artists' dressing rooms, available for groups of 20 or more and schools.
• L'Avant-Scène (Bar Brasserie) On-site bar and brasserie service operated at the venue, accessible to theater-goers and visitors before and after performances.
• Accessibilité (Accessibility Services) Accessibility services including audio description for visually impaired audiences, subtitled performances for deaf/hard-of-hearing audiences, magnetic loop amplification in all three halls, and wheelchair-accessible facilities.
• Actions Culturelles (Cultural Outreach Programs) Structured cultural outreach programs serving schools (Scolaires), youth and families (En Famille), students (Étudiants), and corporate groups (Groupes), including workshops, the 'Parcours de découverte du jeune spectateur' guided tours, and Super Pass' Étudiant.
• Billetterie (Ticketing Platform) Online and in-person ticketing platform for performances and cinema, supporting payment by credit card, check, gift certificates, and Pass Culture integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three performance spaces (Grand Théâtre, Théâtre Verdière, Salle Bleue) hosting approximately 30+ productions per season across theater, dance, circus, music, and cinema
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Théâtre de La Coupe d'Or (Rochefort)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-regional partnership offering La Coursive card holders preferential ticket rates at the Théâtre de La Coupe d'Or in Rochefort. This is part of a network of five partner theaters in Nouvelle-Aquitaine offering mutual audience benefits.
• Le Théâtre d'AngoulêmeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner theater in the cross-ticketing network, offering La Coursive card holders preferential rates.
• Le Moulin du Roc (Niort)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner theater in the cross-ticketing network. Also serves as an off-site venue for La Coursive-presented performances (e.g., São Paulo Dance Company), with bus transport offered from La Rochelle.
• Théâtre Auditorium de PoitiersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner theater in the cross-ticketing network, offering La Coursive card holders preferential rates.
• Le Grand R (La Roche-sur-Yon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner theater in the cross-ticketing network, offering La Coursive card holders preferential rates.
• Mille Plateaux – CCN La RochellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of 'Atelier Géant' with Ayelen Parolin, a partnered workshop held at Mille Plateaux / CCN La Rochelle in connection with her performance of 'Simple'. Ayelen Parolin is herself an artist associated with both La Coursive and Mille Plateaux CCN La Rochelle (2025-2029 and 2025-2028 respectively).
• Pass CultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntegration with France's national Pass Culture program, allowing eligible users (primarily young people) to purchase tickets directly through the dedicated Pass Culture app.
• Criollos (Master Chocolatier, La Rochelle)minorOthersPartner chocolatier participating in 'Concerts au chocolat' — musical events paired with chocolate tastings. Featured in performances by Quatuor Barbican and Café Zimmermann programs.
• Université de La RochelleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership enabling the 'Super Pass' Etudiant' — a special reduced-rate ticket program exclusively for students of the University of La Rochelle, promoting student access to performing arts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Théâtre National Populaire (TNP): French national theater and Scène Nationale label located in Villeurbanne/Lyon, presenting theater, dance, and music productions. Directly comparable operating model (public subsidies, multi-venue, Scène Nationale status, touring and co-produced productions).
• Théâtre Auditorium de Poitiers (TAP): Poitiers Scène Nationale presenting theater, dance, music, and cinema across multiple halls; same public-subsidy model, multi-venue structure, and partner in La Coursive's Nouvelle-Aquitaine network.
• Théâtre National de Chaillot: Major Parisian Scène Nationale / Théâtre National presenting theater, dance, and music across multiple halls — the most prominent direct analogue to La Coursive's role as a multi-venue public performing arts presenter in a French city.
• Le Quartz - Brest Scène Nationale: Scène Nationale in Brest operating multiple halls with programming across theater, dance, music, and circus plus a regional outreach and education mission — essentially the same operating model as La Coursive on a comparable regional scale.
• Théâtre de la Coupe d'Or (Rochefort): Rochefort performing arts venue that is a core partner in La Coursive's regional network — similar presenting/performing arts venue model with local public subsidy support and overlapping audience geography in Charente-Maritime.
• Le Grand R - Scène Nationale de La Roche-sur-Yon: Scène Nationale in La Roche-sur-Yon operating as a regional multi-venue presenter with public subsidies, education programs, and subscriptions — directly comparable to La Coursive and an existing regional partner.
• Le Moulin du Roc - Scène Nationale de Niort: Scène Nationale in Niort presenting theater, dance, music, and circus; already an active partner of La Coursive in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine cross-ticketing network, providing a near-perfect same-network and same-business-model comparison.
• Théâtre d'Angoulême - Scène Nationale: Scène Nationale in Angoulême with analogous programming, public funding, and regional partner status — equivalent mid-sized French public performing arts venue.

Regional players

• Mille Plateaux - CCN La Rochelle: Centre Chorégraphique National (national dance center) based in La Rochelle and an active co-presentation partner of La Coursive; comparable as a publicly funded performing-arts organization serving the same city, focused specifically on contemporary dance.

Broad incumbents

• Centre Dramatique National (CDN) de Béthune: Representative CDN-type French publicly-subsidized theater — broader category peer (producing + presenting + venue) operating under a related but distinct national designation (Centre Dramatique National) of similar scale, audience development mission, and public funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Coursive