Le Palace de Granby

Le Palace de Granby is a performing arts venue located at 135, rue Principale in Granby, Quebec, Canada. It operates as an arts centre and former cinema, presenting a varied programme of theatre, music, humour, song and cabaret events. The venue is closely tied to the City of Granby, which owns the building and supports its operation through a non-profit organization created in 1992. Its box office is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and tickets can be purchased by phone or email. The venue also maintains a newsletter for announcements about ticket sales, promotions and new shows. The history of cinema in Granby began in January 1900 with the first cinematograph screening at the town hall community room. The city's first cinema, the Starland, opened in 1909. In 1910 the Varieties cinema was inaugurated at 125 rue Principale, on the site of the current Palace, managed by Paul Page. It was renamed the Elite in 1920, and sound cinema arrived in 1929. In 1934 the Elite was completely renovated and renamed Théâtre Palace. A fire destroyed it in 1946, and it was rebuilt in 1948 with a 1,500-seat auditorium, a restaurant and air conditioning. In the 1950s television threatened cinemas in Granby and elsewhere; the Palace's competitors, the Ritz and the Cartier, closed. A drive-in opened in Bromont in the 1970s and the Galeries de Granby shopping centre opened in 1974, which contributed to the end of cinema at the Palace. By the early 1980s all film screenings there had ceased. The theatre nevertheless remained a performance venue. In 1985 the municipality and Granby's leisure services rented the Palace with an option to purchase. In 1992 a non-profit organization was created by protocol with the City of Granby to manage and animate the Palace. That same year the Palace was renovated and expanded with support from the Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs and inaugurated on 12 September. In 1993 the Palace won the Félix award for performance presenter of the year. In 2025 the City of Granby planned to renovate the Palace, but its grant application was pending. The mayor hoped for provincial funding to cover the 15 million dollars needed. In the meantime, shows were extended into 2026. The first phase of work, lasting 18 months, aims to modernize the hall and improve accessibility. Without renovations, significant maintenance expenses are incurred each year.

The history of cinema in Granby began in January 1900 when the cinematograph operated for the first time in the community room of the town hall. The city's first cinema, the Starland, opened in 1909. In 1910, the Varieties cinema was inaugurated. It was managed by Paul Page and built at 125 rue Principale, on the site of the current Palace. In 1920, the cinema changed its name to the Elite. The arrival of sound cinema occurred in 1929. In 1934, the Elite was completely renovated and renamed Théâtre Palace. A fire destroyed it in 1946. The theatre was rebuilt in 1948 with a 1,500-seat auditorium, a restaurant and an air conditioning system. Around the 1950s, the arrival of television threatened cinema in Granby and elsewhere. The Palace's two competitors, the Ritz and the Cartier, closed. Bromont opening a drive-in in the 1970s and the opening of the Galeries de Granby in 1974 finished off cinema at the Palace. In the early 1980s, all film screenings there ceased. The theatre nevertheless remained a performance venue even though cinema was no longer there. In 1985, the municipality and the leisure services of Granby rented the Palace with an option to purchase. In 1992, a non-profit organization was created by protocol with the City of Granby to manage and animate the Palace. That same year, the Palace was renovated and expanded with the help of the Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs and inaugurated on 12 September. The following year, in 1993, the Palace won the Félix award for performance presenter of the year. In 2025, the City of Granby wants to renovate the Palace, but its grant application is pending. The mayor hopes for provincial funding to cover the 15 million needed. In the meantime, shows are extended until 2026. The first phase of work, over 18 months, aims at modernizing the hall and accessibility. Due to lack of renovations, significant maintenance expenses are incurred each year.

• 2025

  City of Granby plans renovation; grant application pending; shows extended until 2026

• 1993

  The Palace wins the Félix award for performance presenter of the year

• 1992

  Creation of a non-profit organization to manage the Palace; renovation and expansion; inauguration on 12 September

• 1985

  The municipality and Granby's leisure services rent the Palace with an option to purchase

• 1948

  The theatre is rebuilt with a 1,500-seat auditorium, a restaurant and air conditioning

• 1946

  A fire destroys the theatre

• 1934

  The Elite is completely renovated and renamed Théâtre Palace

• 1929

  Arrival of sound cinema

• 1920

  The cinema is renamed the Elite

• 1910

  Inauguration of the Varieties cinema at 125 rue Principale, managed by Paul Page

• 1909

  Opening of the Starland, Granby's first cinema

• 1900

  First cinematograph screening in Granby at the town hall community room

A municipally supported performing arts centre and former cinema offering a diverse programme of live entertainment in Granby, Quebec.

Product categories. Theatre performances · Music concerts · Humour shows · Cabaret events · Song performances

1. 1Palace de Granby – Découvrez. Vivez. Vibrez.palacedegranby.com
2. 2Billetterie – Palace de Granbypalacedegranby.com
3. 3Le Palacewikidata.org
4. 4Le Palace (Granby)fr.wikipedia.org