Le Zénith () is the name given to a series of indoor arenas in France. The first arena, the "Zénith Paris" is a rejuvenation of the Pavillon de Paris. In French culture, the word "zénith" has become synonymous with "theater". A zénith is a theater that can accommodate concert tours, variety shows, plays, musicals and dance recitals. All zeniths carry a similar internal design of an indoor amphitheater that can seat at least 3,000 spectators.
A venue was planned to open in Saint-Denis, Réunion entitled Zénith du Port. The arena was proposed in 2005 by the city council. Planned to open in 2008 with a capacity of 6,000, the construction of the arena was shut down. It was determined the venue would not be profitable as there was no research done to see which events the arena could house. They also felt the venue would be a hard sell to bring in international talent. Kabardock was built on the proposed site of the zenith.
Zénith Paris
Address: Allée du Zénith, 75019 Paris, France Built: 1983 Opened: January 1984 Capacity: ~6,300 Website: Le Zénith de Paris website
The Zénith Paris—La Villette is an indoor arena in the 19th arrondissement in Paris. The arena was built in 1983 at the site of the former music hall, Pavillon de Paris, by architects Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel. The construction of the arena was initiated by Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, to maintain the rock and roll scene to Paris.
The first musician to perform at the venue was French singer-songwriter Renaud Séchan. Over the years, the venue has played host to many French artists including Jenifer, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Vanessa Paradis, Mr. Hankey, Johnny Hallyday, Alizée, and Michel Sardou. Several international artists have played the venue including Koffi Olomidé, Werrason, Janet Jackson, Suprême NTM, Sigur Rós, Pantera, Toto, Blur, Nas, Björk, Lara Fabian, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Anastacia, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Korean K-pop group Super Junior, LOONA, Finnish band Nightwish, and Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel. Live albums by Simple Minds, The Cure, Muse, Evanescence, Morrissey, Les Cowboys Fringants, The Hives, Archive, and Chico Buarque have been recorded at the venue.
The arena has hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1995, World Wrestling Entertainment in 2007 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2010.
It is the first incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Le Zénith Sud
Address: 2733 Avenue Albert Einstein 34000 Montpellier, France Built: 1985—1986 Opened: 1986 Capacity: 6,300 Website: Zénith Sud Website
Le Zénith Sud (originally known as Zénith de Montpellier) is an indoor arena in Montpellier. The venue was designed by architects Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel, who have designed several other "Le Zénith" buildings. The building opened in 1986 and was renovated in 2001 and 2006. It was the main arena in Montpellier until the Arena Montpellier opened in 2010. Over the course of 25 years, the arena has hosted concerts by Ben Harper, Muse, -M-, Yannick Noah and Deep Purple.
It is the second incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith Oméga de Toulon
Address: Boulevard du Commandant Nicolas 83000 Toulon, France Built: Unknown Opened: September 1992 Capacity: 8,875 Website: Zénith Oméga de Toulon Website
The Zénith Oméga de Toulon (also known as Zénith Omega) is an indoor arena located in Toulon. The arena opened September 7, 1992. The venue also has a nightclub called Omega Live. The space is used for private events and after parties. The arena has hosted concerts by Mylène Farmer, Zazie, Depeche Mode, Jenifer, Tina Turner and David Bowie.
It is the third incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith de Pau
Address: Boulevard du Cami-Salié 64000 Pau, France Built: 1990—1992 Opened: December 1992 Capacity: 7,500 Website: Zénith de Pau Website
The Zénith de Pau is an indoor arena located in Pau. Located near the Hippodrome du Pont-Long, the arena's design is identical to the Palais des Sports de Pau, which is nearby the venue. The venue opened on December 12, 1992. A concert by Johnny Hallyday followed the next day. The venue host many musical events along with theatrical shows. Concerts by Garou, André Rieu, Frédéric François, Véronique Sanson and William Sheller.
It is the fourth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith de Nancy
Address: Rue du Zénith 54320 Maxéville, France Built: Unknown Opened: 1993 Capacity: 4,718 (arena), 19,657 (amphitheater) Website: Zénith de Nancy Website
The Zénith de Nancy (also known as Zénith Nancy de Maxéville or Zénith du Grand Nancy) is an indoor arena located in Maxéville, northwest of Nancy. The venue consists of an indoor theatre (known as "Grande salle du Zénith") and an outdoor amphitheater. It is the largest and most frequently used zénith. The venue has hosted concerts by Rammstein, Depeche Mode, Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Tokio Hotel and Natasha St-Pier.
It is the fifth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith de Caen
Address: Rue Joseph Philippon 14000 Caen, France Built: Unknown Opened: June 1993 Capacity: ~7,000 Website: Zénith de Caen Website
The Zénith de Caen (also known as Zénith Caen—Normandie) is an indoor arena located in Caen. The venue, designed by Jacques Millet and Claude Renouf, opened in June 1993. Leonard Cohen and Eddy Mitchell, along with stage performances of Grease and the Cuban National Ballet.
It is the sixth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith de Lille
Address: 1 Boulevard des Cités Unies 59777 Lille, France Built: 1988—1994 Opened: June 1994 (Arena opened in November 1994) Capacity: 7,000 Website: Zénith de Lille Website
The Zénith de Lille (also known as Zénith Arena) is an indoor arena located in Lille near the Université du Droit et de la Santé. The arena was a long term project commissioned by former mayor of Lille, Pierre Mauroy. The space was intended to be a competitor for Paris' Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy to bring sporting events, theatrical shows and concerts from South England. The project began in 1980 however it was not completed until June 1994.
The venue, designed by Rem Koolhaas, contains three auditoriums, 28 meetings rooms, a banquet hall and the Zénith Arena. It has hosted concerts by Kylie Minogue, Aretha Franklin, Goldfrapp, Dusty Springfield, Eminem and Portishead.
It is the seventh incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith d'Orléans Address: 1 Rue du Président Robert Schuman, 45100 Orléans, France Built: 1995—1996 Opened: September 1996 Capacity: 6,900 Website: Zénith d'Orléans Website
The Zénith d'Orléans (also known as Zénith Orléans) is an indoor arena located in Orléans. The venue opened on September 26, 1996. The first concert was by Charles Aznavour on October 3, 1996. Not only does the venue host entertainment events, it is one of the few zéniths that serves as a sporting arena. The venue is the home arena of the Orléans Loiret Basket. The arena has hosted concerts by Grégoire, Julien Clerc, Patrick Fiori, Élie Semoun and Joan Baez.
It is the eighth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.
Zénith de Toulouse
Address: 11 Avenue Raymond Badiou 31000 Toulouse, France Built: 1998 Opened: April 1999 Capacity: 9,000 Website: Le Zénith de Toulouse Website
The Zénith de Toulouse is an indoor arena located in Toulouse. The venue was designed by André and Serge Gresy, who have also done the Palais Nikaïa, Zénith d'Auvergne and the Grande Halle d'Auvergne. The arena began construction in 1998 and opened in April 1999. The first event held at the venue was a concert organized by Jean-Pierre Mader. The concert was hosted by French actor Ticky Holgado and featured performances by Chevaliers du fil, Pauline Ester, Bernardo Sandoval, and the l’Orchestre de chambre national de Toulouse. The venue faced renovations after the explosion at the nearby AZF Factory.
Over the years, the arena has hosted concerts by The Cranberries, Muse, Depeche Mode, Kylie Minogue, Norah Jones, Green Day, The Who and Snarky Puppy.
It is the ninth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.