A RICH CULTURAL OFFERING
Living
here
A metropolitan area that lives to the rhythm of culture
Saint-Étienne Métropole boasts a rich and varied cultural offering, supported by renowned institutions and emblematic venues.
These include an exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site: Le Corbusier, but also must-sees such as Le Zénith concert hall, La Comédie, the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, the Opera, the FIL…
Saint-Étienne Métropole also has some more unusual places to discover: two arthouse cinemas, former industrial sites that have been converted, a former art school that has become an exhibition space, and an active theatre and music scene. Every year, over 40 festivals for young and old alike get the region buzzing, including Positive Education, Pléiades – Festival des Arts Numériques, Paroles et Musiques, Arcomik.
Historical and cultural
heritage
- Le Corbusier : A Unesco World Heritage Site, with the largest number of the master’s architectural works in Europe.
- La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix-En-Jarez : Listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” and winner of the Public Prize for Popular Patronage in 2024 (Fondation du Patrimoine – 2024).
- Demeure Chamoncel : or “the house of François 1er, is the most remarkable of the 16th-century houses still preserved in Saint-Étienne/Classified as a Historic Monument.
- The Château d’Andrézieux-Bouthéon : a unique place where history, nature and technology come together through a fun trail combining heritage, games, aquariums and digital immersion.
Museums
- Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain : France’s 2nd largest collection of contemporary art.
- Musée d’Art et d’Industrie : This museum houses three national and international collections, bicycles, ribbons and weapons. Listed as a historic monument and awarded the Musée de France label.
- Le Puits Couriot – Musée de la Mine : a former mining site transformed into a museum, offering an immersion into industrial history and the lives of miners / Listed as a Historic Monument.
- The Musée d’Art Urbain et du Street-Art (MAUSA).
- The Galerie Nationale Design will open in 2026 : 1 000 m² of design works from leading French collections.
Concert
halls
- Le Zénith in Saint-Étienne : National and international concert venue /
2nd largest venue in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region / 7 200 seats. - La Comédie, national performing arts centre : a rich programme of theatre, dance, revisited classics and innovative creations. It welcomes international artists in residence.
- Le Fil : an eclectic programme of jazz, rock, electro, rap and much more, as well as a variety of exhibitions, workshops and cultural events. The region’s leading contemporary music scene.
- L’Opéra : a varied programme ranging from the great opera classics to contemporary works, dance and concerts / The curtain goes up on over 100 events every year.
- Méliès Saint-François and Méliès Jean-Jaurès : 2 arthouse cinemas / Best cinema operator in France (Le film français-2023).
Culturals
spaces
- The Cité du Design : a flagship venue dedicated to promoting and showcasing design in all its forms. It organises the International Design Biennial, a major event that brings together designers, artists, researchers and the public around design-related themes.
- The Cabane du Design in Saint-Étienne is a collaborative, interactive space where designers, businesses and the public can come together to co-create, take part in workshops and discover innovative exhibitions.
- EXPLORA : an interactive, immersive space offering fascinating exhibitions and fun workshops, combining design, science and innovation to arouse curiosity and inspire creativity in visitors of all ages.
- Saint-Étienne Planetarium : immersive 2D and 3D projections for young and old (Big bang, the planets, exoplanets, the solar system, life in the Universe, dinosaurs, the evolution of species….), interactive exhibitions on the universe, as well as special events (conferences, round tables, festivals, etc.).
- Media centres and libraries : cultural events all year round: exhibitions, literary events, readings, lectures, screenings, book clubs, etc
Saint-Étienne Métropole offers you a unique setting for living and working differently.
Explore our strengths now !