National theater

The building, colloquially known as the “bonbonnière” because of its shape, was designed by the French architect Jean-Émile Resplandy. The first version of the theatre, with a capacity of no more than 856 seats, was demolished in 1909. The theatre was then enlarged to accommodate 1,350 seats on four levels. The new hall, of which only the exterior façade is left intact, was reopened on January 4th, 1911. On the walls of the hotel reception you can see a rare photo of the theatre dating from 1928, when the French star Suzy Vernon, who stayed at the Carlton, was performing.