The 600-seat Nouveautes Theater in Tarbes has been a magnet for culture enthusiasts in the city, ever since it first opened in 1886. Catch a performance here and admire the sumptuous decor of the Italian-style theater, which is adorned with ornate features, plush upholstery and opulent decorative details.

Find out more about the history of the theater, which has played a central role in Tarbes’ theater scene for more than a century. Originally built in 1885, the theater was originally one of two major theater venues in town. In the early years, competition was fierce between the two institutions, with both staging a large number of shows, which put the Nouveatues Theater under financial strain, forcing the original owner, Héloise Tillard, to sell.

Over the next hundred years, the theater then passed through the hands of several owners, serving as everything from a store to a cinema, before being reopened in 1983 as the Municipal Theater of Tarbes. Venture inside the theater today and most of the decor you see is the result of a 2011 renovation, during which the interior was redone.

Book tickets to a performance at the theater to gain access to the auditorium. The program features French plays and music performances. Choose between seats on the ground level, or on one of the three balconies, which curve around the theater.

Doors usually open about 30 minutes before the performance begins. Arrive early and take a seat in the the auditorium. The classical-style interior has a red and gold color scheme. Look up to inspect the vast fresco that covers a large part of the ceiling.

The Nouveautes Theater is located in the center of Tarbes, less than 10 minutes’ walk from Place de Verdun. Purchase tickets at the theater’s ticket desk or over the phone. The ticket office at the theater is open from morning until early evening Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, though it closes for an hour around lunch. On Wednesdays, it is open only during the morning.