A prestigious monument to the cultural heritage of Le Havre, the Volcano promotes culture and the arts both in its form and function. Initialy designed as a House of Culture, in 1991 the building became the national scene in Le Havre, which is today one of the most important in France.
Le Havre endured extensive damage during the Second World War, including the destruction of almost all of its historic city center. It was the architect Antoine Perret who planned its reconstruction with the idea of starting a clean slate and applying the new codes of modern architecture by choosing concrete as the material of predilection.
Now the reconstructed city center of Le Havre includes masterpieces of modern architecture, such as Oscar Niemeyer's famous Volcano, and is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
A key venue for artistic production and distribution, the Volcano hosts theatrical and musical performances, dance and circus shows and digital art. The Volcano is also an architectural masterpiece, with its interplay of curves and volumes giving the impression that the building is in perpetual motion.
Walking around the edifying structure, the perception of volumes is never the same, each point of view offering a new aspect. At the same time, the lighting work, by the artist Niemeyer, has made the Volcano a central place of the city. The contrast between the blue and orange lights fully contributes to the nightlife of the district.
You want to visit this architectural masterpiece behind the scenes ? Exceptional visits of parts normally inaccessible to the public such as the forecourt, the technical backstage of the theater, the stage, the dressing rooms or the library are sometimes organized. To learn everything about Oscar Niemeyer's architectural language, the visit begins at the front of the Maison du Patrimoine of Le Havre, enjoy a unique visit in the heart of this masterpiece of modern architecture!
To learn more about the history of the Volcano.
To discover other buildings that are emblematic of French architectural heritage:
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Auxane from Comme des Français
