1903
During the night of April 5^th to 6^th, a fire burned down the Grand Théâtre, which had opened in 1787 in the heart of the city.
A new theatre is hastily built, intitially intended as a temporary solution. This is the current Théâtre Sébastopol.

1907
The city council launched a competition for the construction of a new building. The winning design, by architect Louis-Marie Cordonnier, stands out for its aim to recreate an ‘Italian-style’ hall. It is one of the last halls of this type to have been built in France.
Inspired by the Neoclassical style, the building follows the design of the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera). However, its overall form is different and its proportions are more modest.

1914
The structural work of the building was completed in July 1914, at the start of the First World War.
As the building work was coming to an end, the Germans took hold of the Opera. They staged some hundred performances and concerts there during the nearly four years of occupation.

1923
A period of reconstruction followed the German occupation.
The Nouveau Théâtre, as we called it back then, held its “French première” on the 7^th of Octobre. Almost ten years therefore passed between the completion of the building work and the Opera’s official opening.

1940-1944
The Germans occupied the city once again during the Second World War, since the 31^st of May 1940. The Grand Théâtre was taken over from the 10th of January 1941. Artists from across the Rhine performed there fro German audiences, whilst the Théâtre Sébastopol welcomed French audiences.
The building was returned to the people of Lille as soon as the Allies arrived on September 4th of 1944.

1998
The Opera House closes due to the poor condition of some of its facilities.

2002
A major restoration adn modernisation project is getting underway, led by architects Patrice Neirinck and Pierre-Louis Carlier.
The renovated stage incorporates state-of-the-art technology to enable the staging of all kinds of performances. New rehearsal spaces have been fitted out on the top floor of the building to accommodate the artistic teams.
Caroline Sonrier, appointed director in 2001, develops a new artistic and cultural project.

2003-2004
The Opera reopens to the public on the 9th of December 2003 with a performance by the American choreographer Bill T. Jones. This reopening forms part of the launch of Lille 2004, European Capital of Culture.
Since then, the programme of operas, concerts and dance performances has attracted a wide and enthusiastic audience.

2017
The Lille Opera has been designated an Opera House of national importance.

2021
The Lille Opera has become the first Opera House in France to achieve ISO 20121 international certification. This certification attests to responsible management in social and environmental terms.

2025
Barbara Eckle has been appointed director of the Lille Opera.