[1] In 1791, during the selling of the biens nationaux, citizen Bucheron acquired the Cordeliers' Church and transformed it into a 800 seats theatre that opened in 1796.

As numerous projects for a new municipal venue were abandoned due to a lack of resources, the city decided to buy Bucheron's theater in 1867.

[2] Leon Rohard supervised the renovation and achieved a modern building that burned to the ground eleven years after the inauguration.

Following a competition in which Charles Garnier was a member of the jury, Jean-Marie Hardion and Stanislas Loison were commissioned by the municipality.

The Grand théâtre, adapting its schedule, remained open for much of both world wars and has known a peek of activity during the années folles.