On the banks of the Seine, west of Paris, the Île Seguin has found a new calling. After being the cradle of the automotive industry thanks to Renault’s factories, it has been entirely rededicated to music as the forthcoming Cité Musicale. Opening expected in spring 2017.
Located in the town of Boulogne-Billancourt, the musical city of Île Seguin, called the “Seine of music” will be principally dedicated to the organization of concerts and events. It will be large space for music, with a surface area in total between 33,000 – 38,000 square meters.
Contemporary Music
A music city on one hand, a center of contemporary art on the other, the reconversion of Île Seguin into a musical kingdom is beautifully conceived. It will have magnificent auditorium seating 1,100 and a theater with 4,000 – 6,000 seats, dedicated to contemporary music.
The theater will benefit from an uncommon flexibility of usage. A set design with multiple possibilities, it allows a rapid rotation of scenes and events. In France, it will be the only auditorium able to hold up to six shows in 48 hours!
Education is Omnipresent
Educational programs are also planned at the Cité, such as hosting musicals in residence. Insula Orchestra comes to mind, and the Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine, the official children’s choir of the Opera National de Paris and the most important chorus in France.
Access to Music for Everyone
More generally, the Cité Musicale was thought of to allow access to music for everyone. Novice or veteran, you will have the sensation of being moved to hubs composed of different elements evoking the universe of art and music at large: the architecture will be filled with studios and recording spaces from which cultural and societal exchanges will arise.