Théâtre des Salins

What Théâtre des Salins does

Théâtre des Salins is a French scène nationale (national stage) located at 19 Quai Paul Doumer in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône, operating as a publicly-funded cultural institution since 1995 under the French Ministry of Culture's scène nationale label. It functions as a transdisciplinary performing arts venue presenting theater, dance, circus, music, and new-technology works across two performance spaces (grande salle and petite salle), with an annual festival (Vice Versa) and the 2026-2027 season currently programmed. The venue serves approximately 26 employees and a broad public audience spanning general spectators, families, youth/students, and accessibility-focused audiences (including deaf community programming via the 'En signe' festival).

The business model is hybrid public-nonprofit: the majority of operating revenue derives from multi-tier government subsidies (DRAC/Ministry of Culture, Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Département des Bouches-du-Rhône, Ville de Martigues) supplemented by private mécénat (INÉOS, Pétroinéos, Fondation La Poste). Earned revenue streams include ticket sales (€5-€32 per seat), loyalty cards (Fleur de Sel at €10, Grain de Sel at €5), season passes (€200), bar/restaurant operations (La Cour du Théâtre), and corporate/association partnerships. Distribution is omnichannel: 24/7 online box office via Themisweb, on-site box office, telephone reservations, bus shuttles from Marseille, and a carpooling partnership.

The go-to-market motion is event-driven seasonal programming, supported by cultural mediation (artist encounters, workshops, school outreach), press relations, social media (Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), email newsletters, and partner referrals across a regional network of museums, cinemas, sister theaters (Théâtre Le Sémaphore, La Criée, Théâtre de l'Olivier), and accessibility/community institutions. The theater also acts as a co-production partner for international works, notably via a partnership with Onassis Stegi (Greece). Interim leadership is in place under Directeur par intérim Éric Gialis and Administratrice par intérim Johanna Atthar.

Name

Théâtre des Salins

Legal name

Théâtre des Salins

Website

https://les-salins.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Théâtre des Salins is a publicly-funded French scène nationale in Martigues, founded 1995, presenting transdisciplinary performing arts (theater, dance, circus, music) across two venues with 26 staff, funded by multi-tier government subsidies and earned revenue from ticket sales, loyalty programs, and on-site hospitality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Theater & Performing Arts Ticketing (HSACALAC), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Live performing arts
• Theater programming
• Performing arts venue
• Cultural event management
• Public cultural institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Martigues

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual performance tickets sold at varying price points ranging from 5€ to 32€ depending on show, seat type, and customer category (full price, reduced, youth/student/job seeker).
2. Season Pass (Pass saison): Season pass for 200€ granting access to all grande salle performances, excluding specific concerts and the Vice Versa festival. Pass holders also get 2 guest tickets at preferential rates.
3. Loyalty Cards (Fleur de Sel & Grain de Sel): Annual membership cards offering preferential ticket pricing: Fleur de Sel card at 10€ and Grain de Sel card at 5€ (for under 26, students, job seekers). Cards provide priority booking and reduced rates.
4. Restaurant and Bar Services: On-site restaurant (La Cour du Théâtre) and bar services open before and after performances, serving local products and seasonal cuisine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Théâtre des Salins is a French Scène nationale theater in Martigues that presents a transdisciplinary seasonal program of live performances including theater, dance, circus, and music across two performance halls. It sells individual tickets (5€–32€), loyalty cards (Fleur de Sel at 10€ and Grain de Sel at 5€), season passes (200€), and offers on-site bar and restaurant services (La Cour du Théâtre) plus cultural outreach programs and accessible programming for disabled audiences.

Product overview

Théâtre des Salins is a scène nationale (national theater) in Martigues, France, offering a multidisciplinary performing arts program featuring theater, dance, circus, and music performances. The venue operates two main performance spaces (grande salle and petite salle) and hosts an annual festival (Vice Versa). Services include online ticketing with loyalty programs (Fleur de Sel/Grain de Sel cards and Season Pass), bar and restaurant facilities (La Cour du Théâtre), carpooling partnership, bus shuttles from Marseille, technical space access, virtual tours, and cultural outreach activities for schools and community groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programmation de Spectacles (Season Programming) Transdisciplinary season of live performances covering theater, dance, circus, music, and new technologies, featuring both established and emerging French and international artists. Sold by individual ticket (5€–32€) and bookable online, by phone, or on-site for the general public.
• Festival Vice Versa Annual experimental performance festival presenting daring contemporary works (dance, theatre, double/triple plateaux) in an intimate capacity setting on the theater's main stage, held in March 2027 (e.g. Tendre Carcasse by Arthur Perole, XXL by Sofiane Chalal, Diptyque by Raphaëlle Boitel, Ordeal by water by Anna Chirescu and Grégoire Schaller).
• Pass Saison (Season Pass) Annual subscription pass at 200€ granting unlimited access to all grande salle performances during the 2026-2027 season (excluding specific concerts and Vice Versa festival), plus two companion tickets at reduced rates. Capped at 100 subscribers per season.
• Cartes de Fidélité (Fleur de Sel / Grain de Sel) Annual loyalty membership cards: Fleur de Sel at 10€ (general) and Grain de Sel at 5€ (for under 26s, students, and job seekers), providing preferential ticket pricing (e.g., 27€/17€ in grande salle; 15€/10€ in petite salle), priority booking, and partner-venue discounts.
• La Cour du Théâtre (Restaurant) and Bar On-site restaurant and bar service at the theater open before and after performances, serving local products and seasonal cuisine for pre-show dining and midday service.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Onassis StegimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreek cultural foundation providing touring program support for performances including 'Mami' by Mario Banushi and 'My Fierce Ignorant Step' by Christos Papadopoulos. The partnership facilitates international co-productions and artistic exchange between France and Greece.
• Ministry of Culture / DRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary public funding institution providing operating subsidies and project support. DRAC oversees the Scène nationale label and cultural policy implementation in the region.
• Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council providing major funding for theater operations and artistic programming across the Mediterranean region.
• Département des Bouches-du-RhônecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartmental council supporting local cultural infrastructure and artistic projects in the Martigues area.
• Ville de MartiguescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government of Martigues, primary local government partner hosting and supporting the Scène nationale within the city.
• ONDA (Office National de Diffusion Artistique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency supporting touring and distribution of performing arts productions across France.
• Théâtre Le Sémaphore, Port-de-BoucmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister scène conventionnée in neighboring Port-de-Bouc with ticket partnership allowing cross-venue attendance. Joint programming and audience sharing arrangement.
• Théâtre National de Marseille La CriéemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor national theater in Marseille providing co-production support and artistic exchange within the regional cultural network.
• Théâtre de l'OlivierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional theater partner in Istres, part of the Scenes et Cinés network, offering reciprocal audience benefits.
• Musée ZiemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal museum in Martigues collaborating on cultural programming including the 'En Ribambelle' festival and cross-disciplinary events.
• INÉOS and PétroinéosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial sponsors providing corporate patronage for cultural programming at the theater.
• Fondation La PosteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing patronage support for cultural accessibility and audience development initiatives.
• Maritima InfominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media partner providing press coverage and communication support for performances and events.
• Covoiturage SimpleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partnership facilitating audience carpooling to performances through an anonymous matching service.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Musée Ziem (Martigues): Local museum in Martigues collaborating on cultural programming including the 'En Ribambelle' festival. Comparable as a local cultural ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor — relevant for understanding the venue's broader partnership network within the territory.

Direct peers

• Espace Jean Legendre — Théâtre de Compiègne: French Scène nationale with a multi-venue configuration (grande salle / petite salle) similar to Salins. Comparable as a publicly-funded multidisciplinary venue operating a season pass, loyalty mechanics, and touring partnerships.
• Le Volcan — Scène nationale du Havre: Scène nationale in a mid-sized French city with a multi-venue configuration and international co-productions. Comparable as a peer publicly-funded venue with similar artistic mission, ticketing mechanics, and Mediterranean/port-city audience context.
• Théâtre de l'Olivier — Scènes et Cinés: Regional theater partner in Istres, part of the Scènes et Cinés network offering reciprocal audience benefits. Comparable as a publicly-funded regional theater in the Bouches-du-Rhône area with similar audience and funding dynamics.
• Scène nationale 61 — Théâtre d'Alençon / Flers: A French Scène nationale with a comparable public-service mission, multidisciplinary programming (theater, dance, music, circus), and subsidized ticketing model. Comparable as a peer institution within the same 78-member network of Scènes nationales.
• Théâtre National de Marseille La Criée: A major national theater in Marseille providing co-production support and artistic exchange with Théâtre des Salins. As a peer French national stage theater in the same region, it offers directly comparable programming, funding structure, and audience development model.
• Le Sémaphore — Scène conventionnée de Port-de-Bouc: Sister-scène conventionnée in neighboring Port-de-Bouc with a ticketing partnership and joint programming. Directly comparable as a nearby publicly-funded multidisciplinary venue with shared audience base and cross-venue attendance benefits.
• Bonlieu Scène nationale Annecy: Another member of the 78 Scènes nationales network, offering multidisciplinary programming in a mid-sized French city. Comparable as a peer institution with similar public funding structure, audience development model, and venue configuration.

Broad incumbents

• Théâtre National de Nice — CDN Nice Côte d'Azur: Centre Dramatique National in Nice also operating in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Comparable as a publicly-funded national theater with multidisciplinary programming, public funding, and ticketing operations in the same broader region.

Emerging players

• Onassis Stegi: Greek cultural foundation providing touring program support and co-productions with Théâtre des Salins. Comparable as a publicly-funded multidisciplinary performing arts venue with international programming and a similar co-production / touring-exchange model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvCCXeSxQBSLlvW3iGuRDCg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre-des-salins
• Instagraminstagram.com/les_salins_martigues

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Théâtre des Salins