Immersive Historical Show “The Land of Alsace” to be Staged in Strasbourg’s Saint-Paul Reformed Church
After performances in Mulhouse and Colmar, the monumental show The Land of Alsace, conceived by Damien Fontaine, will be presented in Strasbourg for a month-long run beginning February 28, 2026. The production will transform the interior of the Saint-Paul Reformed Church, utilizing its neo-Gothic architecture as a dynamic backdrop enhanced by light and imagery.
A Pivotal Moment in Alsatian History
This Strasbourg iteration of The Land of Alsace focuses on the period following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, a time of significant upheaval and redrawn borders. The show explores the experiences of families divided by the new political landscape and the shifting identities of those living in Alsace. It highlights the contributions of stonemasons building the Saint-Paul Church, dockworkers and merchants of the Rhine port, and agricultural dynasties involved in the region’s hop farms and brewing industry.
The production portrays the period from 1870 to 1945, reflecting a Europe marked by conflict and change, encompassing themes of exodus, betrayal, love, reconciliation, and spiritual seeking. The narrative unfolds through interconnected stories, representing both individual and collective memory.
A Fusion of Technology and Performance
The Land of Alsace employs architectural mapping, monumental projections, and enveloping light effects to transform the Saint-Paul Reformed Church into various settings, including battlefields, industrial ports, and rural landscapes. The show features a cast of 160 actors and extras, performing in two rotating troupes across 60 performances.
Performance Details
- Dates: February 28 to March 29, 2026 (excluding March 14)
- Sessions: 1-2 sessions per day (times vary)
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Location: Place du Général Eisenhower, Strasbourg (Tram E and buses 2, C8, C9, 72, 10)
- Ticket Prices: €12.90 to €49.90, depending on seating
- Recommended Age: 6+
- Accessibility: Accessible to people with reduced mobility (excluding the organ and balconies)
About Saint-Paul Reformed Church
The Saint-Paul Reformed Church in Strasbourg is a significant Gothic Revival building, constructed between 1892 and 1897 during the period when Strasbourg was part of the German Empire (Reichsland Elsass-Lothringen). Originally designed for Lutheran members of the Imperial German garrison, the church features a notably wide structure and an unusually large number of entrances (19) to accommodate personnel of all ranks, including the Emperor. [1]
Following Alsace’s return to France in 1919, the church was transferred to the Protestant Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine. [1] The church’s main tribune pipe organ is a historical monument and one of the largest instruments in Alsace and Eastern France. [2]