French theatre built in 1856 is renamed after Sheikh Khalifa

The French theatre in the castle where Napoleon bade farewell to his Old Guard before going into exile, has been renamed as the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Theatre in recognition of Abu Dhabi's contribution to its restoration.

The final stage of the restoration of the Château de Fontainebleau's Imperial Theatre has now been launched.

As part of the agreement between the Government of Abu Dhabi and France in 2007, part of which concerned the Louvre Abu Dhabi project, the contribution allows for the restoration of the theatre thanks to the generosity of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The first phase of the restoration was completed in April 2014 and saw the rejuvenation of the main auditorium with 25 specialists and 135 craftsmen working on site to bring the theatre's original decor to light.

The second and final phase of renovation will begin in June this year, with the focus turning to certain machinery, the upper levels of the salons and the podium upon which one of the most important stage sets in France has been preserved. Following these restoration works, the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Theatre will represent a museographic space dedicated to the performing arts and decorative arts of the Second Empire.

The public will be able to experience the theatre - considered a masterpiece of Second Empire architecture - in Spring 2019.

The theatre was exquisitely designed by Hector Lefuel for the Imperial family between 1853 and 1856, and was used by Napoléon III on about a dozen occasions, before its doors were closed for over a century, thus preserving it in its original state.

"The protection of cultural heritage anywhere is of the upmost importance to ensure that the history of our societies and civilisations is passed onto future generations. It is through our common commitments to this cause that we have been able to make great strides in our cultural cooperation with France," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA). "The renovation of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Theatre represents our nation's dedication to the preservation of this heritage, not just within our own region, but internationally as we strive towards a global community united by culture."

A classified Unesco World Heritage Site, Fontainebleau, which hosts 1,530 invaluable artefacts and rare furniture, was home to 34 French monarchs and emperors. There, Napoleon bade farewell to his Old Guard and went into exile in 1814. With modifications of the chateau's structure, including the cobblestone entrance wide enough for his carriage, Napoleon helped make the chateau the place that visitors experience today. Fontainebleau was the setting of the Second Empire court of his nephew Napoleon III. The chateau is also home to the Ecoles d'Art Americaines, a school of art, architecture and music.

Know the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Theatre

Known as Imperial Theatre of the Château de Fontainebleau, it was designed by Hector Lefuel for the Imperial family between 1853 and 1856

It was used by Napoléon III on about a dozen occasions

The first phase of the restoration was completed in April 2014

The second stage will begin in June and the theatre will be open to public in 2019

Source: Khaleej Times