The Alcazar Library

The Alcazar was once a legendary entertainment venue that lit up the Marseille nights. Located in the heart of the popular and bustling Belsunce district in the city center, the venue hosted major artistic figures of the time. Its fame and the demands of the Marseille public were such that the Alcazar was a must-visit for any show seeking to conquer the country. Today, it is a municipal library spanning 18,000 m² that bears witness to the history of Marseille.

The history of the Alcazar

The Alcazar Lyrique opened its doors in 1857 on the Cours Belsunce, which was then one of the busiest places in Marseille. The owner of the establishment, Etienne Demolins, had invested heavily to give the venue a Moorish-style architecture in reference to the Alhambra in Granada, as well as a series of decorations, each more colorful and extravagant than the other. More than 1500 people could sit down for a show while smoking and drinking. Demolins boasted of having built "the largest café-concert on the continent." In competition with another similar establishment, the "Casino Musical," created only 18 months earlier, the new venue quickly gained recognition, creating a de facto competition between the two.

Three years after its opening, the Alcazar had already acquired a national reputation, allowing it to engage top Parisian stars in vogue. These stars often faced the uncompromising nature of the Marseille public, known for loudly expressing disapproval by throwing projectiles. It was during this time that the reputation of Marseille's demanding and tough audience was forged.

In 1867, the privileges of the major theaters were abolished. Establishments like the Alcazar could now proclaim themselves as full-fledged theaters, which implied greater freedom in sets, costumes, and performances. This was the golden age of the venue, witnessing the performances of numerous French and foreign artists among the best of their time. However, in June 1873, after a performance, a fire broke out in the sets due to the fireworks display at the closing. There were no casualties, but the fire spread so rapidly that the premises were completely destroyed. Only the main walls of the original building remained.

The Alcazar : from theater to library

The reconstruction was completed in four months in order to minimize financial losses resulting from the closure. The establishment reopened its doors in December 1873, retaining the same architectural inspiration. During this time, it was the golden age of pantomime, with Marseille becoming the capital of this art form, notably under the influence of Louis Rouffe. The venue closed for two years between 1887 and 1889. Upon reopening, the new director renovated the venue for two months, relocating the entrance to the Cours Belsunce. The venue transitioned from a café-concert to a music hall, abandoning interior consumption. The Alcazar became a must-visit destination, and while national stars performed there, it was the local artists and Marseille reviews that were most successful.

In 1931, the Alcazar was transformed into a cinema, and it wasn't until 1949 that the venue returned to its original function with the programming of Marseille reviews or operettas. After some twists and turns, the Alcazar finally closed its doors in 1966. The building was demolished in 1979, leaving only the entrance. In 2004, the municipal library with regional focus was inaugurated. It holds nearly one million accessible documents as well as precious collections (ancient manuscripts, etc.). This former monument of Marseille has become one of the most comprehensive research facilities in the city.

Practical information about the Alcazar Library

The Alcazar Library, located in the heart of Marseille at 58 cours Belsunce, 13001, is a major cultural center accessible to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 6 pm. For any information, the library staff can be reached at 04 91 55 90 00.

Regarding transportation, the Alcazar is well served: tramways T1 (Noailles stop) and T2 (Belsunce Alcazar stop) as well as metro lines M1 (Colbert station) and M2 (Noailles station) are the closest. Many buses, including lines 81, 31, 32, 32B, 41s, 49, 57, 61, 70, 80, 89, 97, and 221, stop nearby, at Noailles and Canebière Bourse stops. For those coming by car, the parking lot of the Centre Bourse, located in front of the library, offers a convenient option.

The Alcazar is not only a lending library but also an advanced technological space. On level 3, the Biblio-media space, equipped with Wi-Fi, offers 146 Internet-connected stations and 83 stations dedicated to searching the library's catalog. Printing and photocopying services are also available, at a cost of 0.10€ per page and at the photocopier located on level 0, facilitating access to resources and information management.

This library is therefore an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and reading enthusiasts in the region.