As one of the oldest cinemas in the world, la Ciotat’s Eden Theatre will re-open to the public with a programme dedicated to the cinemas past and future. The journey begins at the legendary train station, immortalised by the Lumière Brothers. It then takes in the Palais Lumière, the summer residence of the inventors of cinematography (they shot their first films there, including the famous Waterer Watered). The leisurely stroll then takes visitors to the Eden Theatre and the Chapelle des Pénitents-Bleus (dedicated to photography exhibitions on cinema). The next stop is the villa Michel Simon, holiday home to the great actor for thirty years before it became a residence for cinema professionals. To celebrate the Eden’s new found glory, spectacular and festive events will take place: a fancy-dress ball, exhibitions of Claude Azoulay’s celebrity portraits, giant auto chrome projections and more! 

Martin Scorsese’s world cinema foundation will be the guest of honour for this inauguration. The festivities will go on for a month, and include events organised by local cinema associations. The event highlights the vitality and creativity of contemporary cinema and shows — with the reopening of the Eden theatre — promise of new voyages from la ciotat and its port.