In August 1930, the Bel-Air Society presented a project that aimed at building a 52 meter-high tower in the heart of Lausanne. This controversial project came under a lot of criticism. Adversaries declared “the tower will push the Cathedral into the background!” Fortunately, the project had many supporters and construction work began in November the same year.

The Cinéma-Théâtre Métropole opened December 27, 1931. Over the years, the hall has welcomed many different artists such as Jeannette Mac Donald, Mistinguett, Charles Trenet, Ray Ventura, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Armstrong. It has also housed various prestigious concerts by the Ribeaupierre Orchestra, the OSR - the Suisse Romande Orchestra - between 1939 and 1954, pianist Dinu Lipatti, the Johann Strauss III ensemble, the Milan Scala Company. Furthermore, Le Grand Restaurant Métropole, both a brewery and a fabulous cabaret, was located on the Place Bel-Air entrance level of the hall. At the very top of the tower, on the last two floors, a tea-room enabled visitors to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

At the end of the 50’s, Le Métropole was transformed into a movie theatre. Unfortunately, in 1988 the hall closed its doors to the public and for long the entrance was masked by wooden panels.

Soon a new project was presented that aimed at turning the hall into a large cinema complex. But in February 1991 the Métropole Music Association was especially put together to salvage the hall. In August 1992, the town council declared the hall a protected monument.

Béjart Ballet Lausanne gave its first shows at Le Métropole in September 1992 and started hiring the hall for rehearsals on a regular basis. A grand gala was organised in May 1994 in support of the hall. Among participants was the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. Several concerts by the OCL (Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne) followed.

In December 1994, the city of Lausanne founded La Fondation Métropole and in 1995, a full restoration programme began. Most of the work was completed in the following three years and on October 10, 1996 the hall re-opened to the public.

This comprehensive restoration programme cost over 9 million francs. A 3 million-franc investment was made by the city of Lausanne, the Canton Vaud also invested 3 million francs and the last 3 million francs were provided by private funds.

Today, Le Métropole is famous for it’s excellent acoustics, fascinating architecture and ideal location in the city centre.


Events at the Bel-Air Métropole

In the 1930’s…

Tour de chant by American movie star Jeannette Mac Donald
Joséphine Baker, famous dancer of the Charleston and the Blackbottom
Mistinguett, leading persona of the French music-hall
The Kentucky’s Singers
Bouboule (Georges Michaud)
The Ribeaupierre Orchestra
Classic operas like Rigoletto, La Tosca, The Barber of Seville by the Milan Scala Company together with the OSR (Orchestre de la Suisse Romande)
Several conferences of which one by Walter Mittelhozer, former CEO of Swissair in 1931.
A gala with the Johann Strauss III ensemble, celebrating Viennese composers.
Charles Trenet, « Le fou chantant »
Fritz Kreisler, violinist
The Ensemble lausannois with Victor Dessarzens, concertmaster

In the 1940’s…

119 concerts by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), 44 of which conducted by Ernest Ansermet.
Other special guests of the OSR:
Herbert von Karajan (February 9th, 1950)
Carl Schuricht
Wilhelm Furtwängler
Thomas Beecham
Victor Dessarzens
Carl Boehm
Clemens Krauss
Rafaël Kubelik in " La cité sur la montagne " by Gonzague de Reynold
Ray Ventura
Renée Lebas, singer and Albert Urfer, piano
Maurice Chevalier
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), conducted by Ernest Ansermet with soloist Dinu Lipatti.
Louis and the All Stars Band with special guests Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Jack Teagarden, Cozy Cole.

Since re-opening in 1992…

Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne
conducted by Christian Zacharias
Noces OCL + MAD
Opéra de Lausanne
Sinfonietta de Lausanne
Béjart Ballet Lausanne
Festival Métropop
Igokat
Laura L fashion show
Air
Lily Allen
Alpinestars
Amoyal et Buffo
Archive
Astonvilla
Ayo
Martha Argerich & Charles Dutoit		Alain Bashung
Björk
Bloc Party
Branduardi
Cake
The Cardigans
Charlélie Couture
Choeur Faller
dEUS
Dimitri
Dolly
Stephan Eicher
Favez
Fun Lovin'Criminals
The Gladiators
Sylvie Guillem		Hibernatus
Hooverphonic
Abdullah Ibrahim
Jacques Higelin
James Taylor Quartet
Joe Jackson
Khaled
Kid Chocolat
Luke
Magicrays
Marie-Thérèse Porchet née Bertholet
Miro
Moonraisers
Mummenschanz		Cheb Mami
Mauranne
Pat Metheny
Mickey 3D
Nada Surf
Noir Désir
Heather Nova
Orchestre des Rencontres Musicales
Maceo Parker
Le Peuple de l'Herbe
Piano Seven		Raphaël
The Rasmus
Dianne Reeves
Rinôçérôse
Sens Unik
Sergent Garcia
The Servant
Sinsemilia
Steps
Stress		 James Thierrée
Tiken Jah Fakoly
The Wailers
The Young Gods
Zap Mama
Zorg
Photos fournies par le Musée historique de Lausanne