Celestins, Theater of Lyon

What Celestins, Theater of Lyon does

Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon is a municipally owned performing-arts institution operated under the governance of the Ville de Lyon. The current building, an Italian-style theater designed by Gaspard André, was inaugurated in 1881 and listed as a French historical monument in 1997; it was substantially modernized in 2003-2005, which created a secondary 136-seat hall called La Célestine beneath the 700-seat Grande salle. The institution presents roughly 128-130 productions per season (e.g., 129 in 2025-2026 and 128 in 2024-2025), supported by an in-house Maison de Création that develops approximately 10 new productions per season with five associated artists on three-season commitments, and produces or co-produces more than half of the works it hosts.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: ticketing for the Grande salle (€8-€42) and Célestine (€9-€29), annual subscriptions (Liberté from €12/place and Absolu at €380 for 38 shows), corporate venue rental (Grande salle, Célestine, Foyer/bar, Atrium), guided tours, restaurant and bar services operated by La Fabuleuse Cantine, and structured patronage through the Fondation Les Célestins launched in October 2022 under the aegis of Fondation Bullukian and federating 16 corporate and foundation patrons across four axes (artistic vitality, educational programs, accessibility, and heritage). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the on-site box office (4 rue Charles Dullin) and online ticketing platform, supplemented by dedicated group booking sites for schools, associations, and corporate committees, and a touring network that includes co-productions with Théâtre National Populaire, Théâtre de Lorient – CDN, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, and Festival d'Avignon presence (six Season 26/27 productions). The institution is led by Director Pierre-Yves Lenoir (since June 2023, succeeding Claudia Stavisky) and operates with approximately 50 staff across direction, artistic council, audience relations, communication, production, technical, and administration functions.

Name

Celestins, Theater of Lyon

Legal name

Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon

Website

https://theatredescelestins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1881

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon is a municipally owned historic Italian-style theater in Lyon presenting roughly 130 productions per season across a 700-seat main hall and 136-seat studio, funded by ticket sales, subscriptions, corporate venue rental, and a 16-patron foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Live Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGALAB

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Event Venues & Venue Operations (Arenas, Theaters, Halls)

SECONDARYTHAHAAAG

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

SECONDARYMPAGABAC

Touring Theatre Productions

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Theater, Broadway & Performing Arts

Keywords

• Live theater performances
• Performing arts venue
• Season subscriptions
• Cultural venue rental
• Guided heritage tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual performance tickets sold at full price (€8-€42 in Grande salle, €9-€29 in Célestine), reduced rates for students, job seekers, accessibility card holders, and groups of 8+.
2. Season Subscriptions: Liberté subscription from €12/place (minimum 4 shows) and Absolu subscription at €380 for 38 shows (€10/place). Subscription holders receive priority booking, reduced rates throughout the season, and free date exchanges.
3. Venue Rental for Corporate Events: Private rental of spaces including Grande salle (700 seats), Célestine (136 seats), Foyer/bar (50-90 people), and Atrium (150 people) for seminars, conventions, receptions, and galas.
4. Theater Visits: Guided tours for individuals (€10 adults, €6 under 28) and groups (€90-€160 depending on size).
5. Restaurant and Bar Services: Bar de la Corbeille (2nd floor) operated by La Fabuleuse Cantine offering gourmet cuisine, snacks, and local beverages.
6. Patronage and Sponsorship: Foundation funding from 16 companies and foundations supporting artistic vitality, educational programs, accessibility, and heritage projects. Gift certificates (bons cadeaux) valid for 12 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon is a historic performing arts venue in Lyon, France, operating a 700-seat Italian-style Grande salle and a 136-seat smaller space called La Célestine. It produces and presents a season program of more than 130 theatrical productions per year, supported by an in-house "Maison de création" with associated artists, co-productions, and touring partnerships. The core commercial offerings are individual performance tickets, season subscriptions (Liberté and Absolu), gift cards, guided heritage tours, corporate event venue rental, and on-site restaurant and bar services.

Product overview

Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon is a historic Italian-style theater (built 1881) offering a portfolio of live performance venues and cultural services. The core offering consists of the Grande salle (700 seats) and Célestine (136 seats) for theatrical productions, supplemented by event rental spaces, restaurant services, and educational programs. Key products include seasonal programming with associated artist creations, subscription packages (Liberté, Absolu), gift cards, guided tours, and the Écran Rouge film project. The theater operates La Fondation Les Célestins for patronage and runs Maison de Création as its in-house development hub for emerging and established artists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grande salle (main theater hall) The main Italian-style theater hall with approximately 700 seats, hosting major theatrical productions, co-productions, and large-scale events for the general public.
• La Célestine (smaller performance space) A smaller performance space with up to 136 seats, located beneath the Grande salle, hosting intimate productions, creations, and emerging work.
• Season Subscriptions (Abonnements) Annual subscription packages including Liberté (4+ shows, €12-€32/place) and Absolu (38 shows at €380, €10/place), offering priority booking, discounted rates, free date exchanges, and installment payment options.
• Gift Cards (Bons Cadeaux) Gift vouchers valid for 12 months, allowing recipients to attend performances at the theater.
• Guided Tours (Visites Guidées) Guided tours of the historic 1881 theater building, including backstage areas, for individuals (€10 adults, €6 under 28) and groups (€90-€160 depending on size and age group).
• Corporate Event Venue Rental (Espace Entreprise) Private rental of theater spaces including Grande salle (700 seats), Célestine (136 seats), Foyer/bar (50-90 people), and Atrium (150 people) for seminars, conventions, receptions, galas, and privilege evenings.
• Bar de la Corbeille / La Fabuleuse Cantine (Restaurant & Bar) On-site restaurant and bar service on the 2nd floor operated by La Fabuleuse Cantine, offering gourmet cuisine, snacks, and local beverages (€5.50-€24) before and after performances.
• Accessibility Services (Les Célestins accessibles) Accessibility services including elevator access, sound amplification equipment, hearing loops, live audio description for visually impaired audiences with reserved front-row seating, and tactile visits.
• Educational Programs (Actions Culturelles / Scolaire-Groupe) Educational outreach programs for schools (primary to university) including workshops, artist encounters, theatrical pedagogy, and special group pricing (€8-€17 in Grande salle, €13 in Célestine).
• Écran Rouge Film Project A film project where young filmmakers create short films inspired by the theater's programming, in collaboration with Tchik Tchik Productions and La CinéFabrique film school.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Fondation BullukiancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022The Fondation Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon is under the umbrella of Fondation Bullukian. Launched in October 2022, it federates 16 companies and foundations around 4 axes: artistic vitality, educational programs, accessibility, and heritage projects.
• Théâtre National Populaire (TNP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Prix Incandescences since 2022 to support regional theater creation. Annual competition where two winners receive financial support and join the programming of one of the two theaters. Co-productions of shows like True West.
• TéléramaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for Prix Incandescences, providing visibility and editorial coverage for the regional theater competition.
• Théâtre des Bouffes du NordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for 'Dans le ventre des cerveaux' (September-October 2026) with touring to Paris after Lyon premiere.
• Théâtre de Lorient – CDNmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'True West' with touring scheduled to Lorient in February 2027.
• Malraux – Scène nationale Chambéry-SavoieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTouring venue for 'True West' in February 2027.
• ENSATT (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 85th promotion, mentored by Nathalie Garraud and Olivier Saccomano. Creation of 'Monde grand' (May 2026) as diptych with 'Monde nouveau'.
• Tchik Tchik ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm production partner for Écran Rouge project, collaborating on short films inspired by theater programming.
• La CinéFabriquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm school partner for Écran Rouge project, providing young filmmakers and production resources for short films.
• La LogecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational accompaniment label coordinating Puissance 4 network of 8 theaters supporting emerging artists for 3 years with production and touring support.
• Cop1 (Solidarités Étudiantes)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner for 'Billet Suspendu' solidarity ticket program distributing €13 tickets to students in precarious situations.
• HappyToqueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner for 'Billet Suspendu' solidarity ticket program, connecting students with cultural venues.
• La Fabuleuse CantineminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRestaurant operator at Bar de la Corbeille (2nd floor) providing gourmet cuisine and bar services for theatergoers.
• Librairie PassagesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBookstore partner curating reading selections at the point librairie after performances.
• Ville de LyoncoreOthersMunicipal authority and founding supporter of Les Célestins theater. Logo displayed as founding partner on website.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Opéra National de Lyon: Lyon's flagship lyric arts institution competing for the same municipal funding pool, regional patronage base, and corporate event budgets in the same metropolitan market.
• Théâtre National de Strasbourg: Centre Dramatique National with similar programming scope, residency-based creation model, and touring circuit participation; serves as a benchmark for CDN-class French theaters.
• Odéon - Théâtre de l'Europe: Major French national theater where Pierre-Yves Lenoir previously served as administrator; operates a comparable multi-hall venue model with creation, touring, and international co-production mandates.
• Théâtre de Lorient - CDN: Direct co-production partner (True West touring 2027); CDN with comparable creation house function, audience scale, and regional touring circuit positioning.
• Théâtre du Rond-Point: Founded by Pierre-Yves Lenoir and Jean-Michel Ribes in 2002; contemporary programming house with comparable venue operations, corporate event strategy, and Parisian theater audience overlap.
• Théâtre National Populaire (TNP): National theater based in Lyon and co-organizer of the Prix Incandescences competition; competes for the same Lyon audiences, donors, and corporate clients, and shares co-production partnerships.
• Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord: Co-production partner (Dans le ventre des cerveaux, 2026); historic Parisian venue specialized in international co-productions with similar artistic ambition and scale.
• La Scala Paris: Parisian multi-purpose cultural venue whose 2018 opening was piloted by Pierre-Yves Lenoir; similar scale and operating model combining live performance, corporate rentals, and hospitality.

Broad incumbents

• Comédie-Française: France's oldest and largest theater institution with a broader portfolio (repertoire, troupe model, multiple halls); relevant as the dominant incumbent in the same institutional hierarchy rather than direct niche competition.

Others

• Festival d'Avignon: Annual showcase festival featuring six of Les Célestins' Season 26/27 productions; functions as the prestige platform of French theater rather than a venue competitor, but key ecosystem player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=5pKVSu6im9U
• Instagraminstagram.com/thcelestinslyon
• Xx.com/celestins
• Facebookfacebook.com/Celestins.theatre.lyon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Celestins, Theater of Lyon