Théâtre Royal de Marrakech: the architecture of Charles Boccara

Updated on October 2, 2026

The Théâtre Royal stands on Avenue Mohammed VI, at the junction with Avenue Hassan II, directly opposite the railway station, on the edge of Gueliz and Hivernage. Designed by the architect Charles Boccara from the late 1970s onwards, it combines a large dome, a colonnaded rotunda and brick and ochre-rendered walls, blending references to antiquity with Moroccan craftsmanship. On 19 September 2001, King Mohammed VI inaugurated its exterior and its 1,200-seat open-air amphitheatre, but the indoor opera hall has never been brought into service. Completion works, relaunched in 2021, entered their final phase in 2024-2025; as of October 2026, no opening date for the hall has been announced.

Highlights

The façade and dome

Seen from the station crossroads, the symmetrical façade is arranged around a colonnaded portico bearing the inscription "Théâtre Royal" in French and Arabic. Above it, the dome rests on a drum pierced with small windows. The palm trees on the forecourt and the width of the avenue let you photograph the whole building.

The rotunda and brick walls

On the sides, a circular colonnaded gallery rises above brick bases, a traditional Marrakech building material. This is the most original part of the building: Boccara borrows the volumes of an ancient theatre while using the city's materials and colours.

The opera hall works

The main hall remained unfinished for more than twenty years. The royal programme "Marrakech, City of Permanent Renewal", launched in 2014, set aside funding for it; in 2024, the city council awarded the scenography lot (stage machinery, sound, lighting, video and 822 seats) for 54.3 million dirhams, out of a completion budget of 116 million dirhams. In 2025, a final contract covered the architectural lighting and video surveillance of the site.

The open-air amphitheatre

The only part in use, it hosts concerts, shows and festival evenings. In 2025, the Théâtre Royal was among the venues of the National Festival of Popular Arts. You can only go in during an event, usually with a ticket.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The building is mainly enjoyed from the outside: there are no guided tours or regular opening hours. To see the amphitheatre, check the city's show and festival listings (what to do in Marrakech at night). The site combines well with arriving by train and a walk through the new town: heading south along Avenue Mohammed VI, you pass the Palais des Congrès and then Menara Mall; heading north, Avenue Mohammed V takes you to the heart of Gueliz (see also our guide to Gueliz and Hivernage).

How to get there

Avenue Mohammed VI, at the corner of Avenue Hassan II, opposite Marrakech railway station On foot: about 2.5 km from Jemaa el-Fna square, around half an hour's walk; 2 minutes from the station. By petit taxi: ask for "Théâtre Royal" or "la gare"; the ride from the medina takes about ten minutes outside rush hour. By train: Marrakech railway station is directly opposite, across the junction.