Ciné Versailles

Ciné Versailles, commonly branded Cinéma Le Versailles, is a historic cinema located in the heart of Stavelot, in the Belgian province of Liège. It traces its institutional roots to 1897, when the Cercle Ouvrier was founded as a space dedicated to making culture and education accessible to all; that venue soon began hosting screenings and performances, and the cinema operation emerged under the name "Cinéma des Familles." The cinema was formally inaugurated on 8 December 1913, making it, according to its own account, the oldest cinema still in activity in Belgium. The venue was renovated during the 1950s to improve spectator comfort and modernize its equipment, and in 1955 it was renamed "Cinéma Le Versailles," the name it retains today. In the early 2000s it adopted digital projection and upgraded its sound system, keeping pace with the technological shift that transformed exhibition across Europe. In June 2022 the cinema closed temporarily following the retirement of its long-serving manager, raising concern among local film lovers. It reopened on 30 November 2022 after five months of closure, thanks to the initiative of roughly twenty passionate volunteers determined to preserve this cultural heritage. The cinema continued into 2023, when it marked its 110th anniversary. As a small, community-anchored single-screen house, Ciné Versailles programs a mix of current releases, previews and repertory titles — its homepage has highlighted films such as "Vivre encore," "Sense and Sensibility," "Heart of the Beast" and an extended "Avengers: Endgame" — and functions as a local cultural landmark rather than a commercial multiplex chain.

The story of Ciné Versailles begins in 1897 with the creation of the Cercle Ouvrier in Stavelot, a space intended to make culture and education accessible to all. Very quickly this place became a crossroads for exchange and discovery, hosting screenings and performances. The cinema gradually established itself as a fixture of local cultural life under its first name, "Cinéma des Familles." On 8 December 1913, the "Cinéma des Familles" opened its doors in Stavelot, offering residents a new form of entertainment. According to the cinema's own account, this makes it the oldest cinema still in activity in Belgium. During the 1950s the cinema underwent renovations to improve spectator comfort and modernize its equipment, reflecting the technological evolution of the era. In 1955 the cinema was renamed "Cinéma Le Versailles," a name that has endured to the present day. At the beginning of the 2000s, Cinéma Le Versailles adopted digital projection and improved its sound system to offer a modern cinematic experience, aligning the historic venue with the industry-wide transition from film to digital exhibition. In June 2022 the cinema temporarily closed its doors because of the retirement of its historic manager, which raised concern among local film lovers. On 30 November 2022, after five months of closure, Cinéma Le Versailles reopened thanks to the initiative of around twenty passionate volunteers determined to preserve this cultural heritage. In 2023 the cinema reached its 110th anniversary, continuing to operate as a volunteer-supported community cinema in Stavelot.

• 2023

  The cinema marks its 110th anniversary.

• 2022

  In June the cinema closes temporarily after the retirement of its historic manager; on 30 November it reopens thanks to around twenty volunteers.

• 2000

  In the early 2000s the cinema adopts digital projection and improves its sound system.

• 1955

  The cinema is renamed "Cinéma Le Versailles."

• 1950

  Renovations during the 1950s improve spectator comfort and modernize equipment.

• 1913

  On 8 December, the "Cinéma des Familles" opens its doors in Stavelot.

• 1897

  Creation of the Cercle Ouvrier in Stavelot, a space for accessible culture and education that soon hosted screenings and performances.

A historic, community-anchored single-screen cinema positioned as the oldest still-operating cinema in Belgium.

• Vivre encore

• Garance

• Sense and Sensibility

• Heart of the Beast

• Avengers: Endgame Extended

1. 1Cinéma Le Versailles — official homepagecinemaleversailles.be
2. 2À propos — Cinéma Le Versaillescinemaleversailles.be
3. 3Ciné Versailles — Wikidatawikidata.org