Drama at the Château de la Verrerie!

Le Petit Théâtre, a hidden treasure

In the courtyard of the Château de la Verrerie, two strange buildings can be seen. These are the halls that housed the furnaces of the former crystal glassworks. When the glassworks ceased operations, rather than destroying them, it was decided to preserve and transform them. To the delight of today’s visitors!

At the heart of the Schneider family receptions

In order to accommodate the Schneider company’s prestigious customers (heads of state from all over the world: kings and queens, presidents of the Republic, princes, sultans, marshals, etc.), Eugène II Schneider launched a major embellishment of the château at the beginning of the ^20th century.

Between 1905 and 1910, his architect Ernest Sanson installed a magnificent small theater in one of the conical halls.

Visit the Petit Théâtre

Under the golds of the theater

a precious decor

Inspired by Versailles

From the moment you enter, you’ll be charmed by the elegant decor. Admire the hues and golds of the Petit Théâtre.

A reference to crystalware and Marie-Antoinette, the ceiling and its splendid trompe-l’œil depict a double-headed eagle surrounded by cherubs stretching a drapery bearing the inscription “À la Reine” against a misty sky. The ^{eighteenth-century} decor is inspired by the Petit Trianon, created by Gabriel in Versailles and presented to Marie-Antoinette by Louis XVI in 1774.

Observe the Greek theater masks beneath the dome, then the frescoes depicting the seasons. Behind the columns, a curtain-like décor with passementerie cords and tassels (also painted in trompe-l’œil) surrounds the room.

Management

backstage

Walk down the steps and venture backstage to discover the artists’ dressing rooms, located in the basement, or into the control room, located under the stage, to admire all the theater’s machinery.

You’d almost expect to see an actress in front of her dressing table, or the prompter on his way to the pit…