15 July 22 July 2025

Philippe Léotard Roman Theatre

The identity of the festival

Every summer, the NUITS AURÉLIENNES breathe new life into the Roman theatre of Fréjus, reviving a thousand-year-old history. Fréjus, with its 2000 years of existence, dresses up in its finest finery to host this lively celebration of theatre, the true heir to a timeless tradition.

Even before the actors set foot on stage, the atmosphere is already a promise. The gentle embrace of the Côte d'Azur evenings, the song of the cicadas, everything here celebrates the Côte d'Azur, this land where culture is queen, where art finds its setting. Year after year, the festival becomes the beating heart of the cultural summer in Fréjus. The selection of works, the choice of performers, the unique atmosphere... everything is orchestrated with artistic rigor, for one and the same goal: to enchant the spectators. Because the very essence of these NUITS AURÉLIENNES lies in shared pleasure: through laughter, through humor, through the joy of comical situations and misunderstandings, everyone is invited to experience moments of pure bliss. Far from everyday worries, souls are freed, leave with a light heart and an expanded spirit.

Aurelian Nights Frejus Theater

Over time, the theatre house has grown and become more beautiful, driven by the passion of the actors and the organisation teams. Each visit leaves its mark, and sometimes, from generation to generation, the torch is passed on. 

But still, this Fréjus signature persists, refusing the glitter and the easy way to offer an authentic experience, where the magic of the theater unfolds in all its splendor.
So, friends of the theater, let the curtain rise! Let the show begin under the stars!

2025 programming

Family Secrets Auréliennes Nights 2025 Fréjus

Family Secrets – Tuesday 15/07

A play by Eric ASSOUS

Directed by Philippe Hersen

With. : Valérie Kaprisky – Xavier Deluc – Roland Marchisio – Justine Thibaudat – Paul Nouhailler

Pierre, a songwriter, has been composing popular hits for others for years with his inseparable partner Sylvain. Divorced from his son's mother, he is still in love with the beautiful Edwige...

Pierre raised his son Quentin alone. Quentin is due to marry Clémence, a beautiful young woman with whom he is madly in love...

But the beautiful Clémence isn't in such a hurry to get married, and for one simple reason! She's not in love with the son... but with the father!

To escape this uncomfortable trap, Pierre will have to rely on Sylvain's involuntary complicity, which won't stop him from living through hell with Edwige in the middle!

It is in a breathtaking, funny and modern comedy of manners that we find Xavier Deluc and Valérie Kaprisky together on stage for the first time.

Everything is going very well Aurelian Nights Fréjus

Everything is going very well – Thursday 17/07

A play by Ray and Michael Cooney

Adapted by Boris Soulages and Caroline Ami

Directed by and starring: Arthur Jugnot

With: Laurent Ournac – Zoé Bidaud – Michel Crémadès – Gaëlle Gauthier – Lydie Muller – Sébastien Pierre – Manu Rui Silva

The hilarious story of 3 brothers who would have been better off not meeting that day!

Tom and his wife are ready to welcome the director of the English National Adoption Agency. They're finally going to realize their dream and adopt a baby. But they didn't count on the presence of Tom's two brothers, an overly active police officer, two illegal immigrants, and a Russian smuggler...

The latest hilarious creation from the king of the English boulevard, RAY COONEY, and his son. A comedy never before seen in France!

The Nights of the Auréliens Fréjus 2025

The Cabotines – Saturday 19/07

A play by Bruno Druart and Patrick Angonin

Directed by Olivier Macé

With: Valérie Bègue – Steevy Boulay – Elisa Servier – Christian Charmetant – Daniel-Jean Colloredo – Catherine Vranken

What a time! It's the early 19th century, and Napoleon has just been named Emperor of the French. The Comédie Française is in full swing!

In the dressing room, two famous actresses who hate each other cause scandal after scandal. They share the same roles, and it's no longer sustainable! Insults and low blows rain down...

Courtiers come and go, Talleyrand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, intrigues, François-Joseph Talma, Napoleon's favorite actor, excels... Until the day a young member of the society is entrusted with their jobs. They all have to react!

 

“Les Nuits Auréliennes” Theatre Festival

My name is Georges… and you – Tuesday 22/07

A play by Gilles Dyrek

Directed by Eric Bu

With: Mélanie Page – Grégori Baquet – Marine Dusehu – Stéphane Roux – Etienne Launay

One fine morning, Georges discovers something strange that will turn his daily life upside down: all the residences around his new apartment bear the first names of his ex-partners: Villa Christine, Villa Adriana, Villa Clémentine… He has barely tried to shed light on this mystery when a new construction appears near his home: “Villa Emilie”.
Could this be an omen? The first name of his next love?

A romantic comedy unfolding before your eyes!

An emblematic place: the Roman theater

The Roman Theatre of Fréjus, probably built in the 1912st century AD, is an exceptional example of ancient architecture. Listed as a Historic Monument since XNUMX, this building has preserved its original walls, the location of the orchestra and the remains of the stage. The first theatre built in Forum Julii, it continues to perpetuate its vocation by hosting numerous shows during the summer.

In Roman times, this theatre hosted popular shows. These combined music, song and dance. Inspired by Greek culture, the theatre's semicircular plan opens out in a fan shape facing the stage, offering exceptional acoustics and visibility. Located in the north-eastern part of the city, near the Porta di Roma, the theatre's remains provide a glimpse of the scale and original decor of this monumental structure.

Renamed the Philippe Léotard Roman Theatre in homage to the artist born in Fréjus, the theatre was partly cleared after the Malpasset dam collapsed in 1959. Although the façade has disappeared, significant walls have stood the test of time, supporting the stands (the cavea). Since 2007, reconstruction work has been undertaken on the southern half of the cavea to preserve the site, improve security and allow major shows to be hosted again.

A historical setting

We delight in the beauty offered by the Philippe Léotard Roman Theatre. The end of summer days are magnificent there.

"Every summer, the Nuits Auréliennes are our unmissable event. It's the perfect opportunity to experience magical evenings, where the charm of ancient theatre meets the excellence of contemporary shows. After so many years, we still come away amazed and closer than ever."

They went through the Nuits Auréliennes festival

  • Noelle Perna
  • List to come
Aurelian Nights - Roman Theatre

Tickets are only available online on the Tourist Office website or in our premises during opening hours.

Several car parks are nearby: Le Clos de la Tour, Paul Vernet or Aubenas

In 2024, the festival offered four evenings!

A year of events in Fréjus!

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