Le 23, a new cultural venue in Nantes, opens its doors -

J. Urbach / 20 Minutes

  • The Big City Life association wanted to transform this somewhat dated space into a living space open to the general public and to the inhabitants of the district.

  • Le 23 is intended to “constantly evolve” and will offer a very varied cultural program.

It defines itself as a "very cool spot", and we admit to having a little trouble giving it a more precise qualifier ... Since Wednesday evening, Le 23, this cultural place managed by the Big City Life association, has been open to the Hauts-Pavés (23 rue Villebois-Mareuil) in Nantes.

A bit of a bar, a bit of a restaurant, halfway between an exhibition hall and a party hall, this space where you will meet both tattoo artists and bridge players is unlike any other.

The program for this inaugural weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, free admission) sets the tone, with a jumble of wine tastings, dance solos, a vinyl sale, drag performances. -queen or even a Breton galettes-oysters-muscadet evening… "The objective is that this place of life is for everyone and is constantly evolving," explains Nicolas, director of Big City Life.

The programming will change every week.

On the walls, the works produced in recent days by eight

street artists will

disappear in a few months, in favor of new ones.

Le 23, a new cultural venue in Nantes, opens its doors - J. Urbach / 20 Minutes

One of the "15 places to reinvent"

The 23 will be open in the evening from Friday to Sunday for the general public, and the rest of the week for the inhabitants of the district.

One way to perpetuate the history of this somewhat old-fashioned place, which belonged to the diocese before becoming the old Brittany cinema and then hosting end-of-year shows from local schools.

It was as part of the “15 places to reinvent” operation led by the city of Nantes in 2018 that Big City Life was able to obtain the keys to this room with atypical dimensions (in particular due to its large balcony, where rows of chairs from the period have been preserved, and its sloping floor).

Local residents, some of whom took part in the work, have already expressed several wishes for the new life of the hall.

Yoga sessions, a local farmers market, a bridge club and a vegetable garden are in preparation.

“We would like to be able to make possible all the desires of the inhabitants, promises Antoine, the manager of the place.

Organize a Neighbors Day, a Christmas dinner, or whatever comes out of the suggestion box we have installed.

»In normal configuration, Le 23 will be able to accommodate 650 people standing, 250 in seated format.

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