Music - Meaux Music Complex Simone Veil: public meeting unveils ambitious project

By Mulder, Meaux, Hôtel de ville, Salons d’Honneur, 18 november 2024

On November 18, 2024, the residents of Meaux gathered in the Salons d'Honneur of the Hôtel de Ville to discover the ambitious Music Complex Simone Veil project. This public meeting provided an opportunity to present in detail the characteristics, challenges and impact of this future cultural infrastructure on the town and surrounding area.

Present at this public meeting, alongside the Mayor of Meaux and President of the Pays de Meaux Urban Community, Mr. Jean-François Copé, were Pierre Corbel (Director of the Culture, Tourism, Events, Youth, and Sports Department), Cédric Senly (Director of Services), Huaying Felix-Ye (Director of Major Projects), Gregory Vaillant (Project Manager in the Major Projects Department), Jean-Philippe Gauberthier (Director of the Regional Planning and Sustainable Development Department), Emmanuel Vielpeau (Deputy Mayor in charge of Education, Children, Personnel, and Major Projects), Bernard Lociciro (Councillor and Vice-President of Pays de Meaux), Eric Darrigrand (Director of the Music Complex  Simone Veil), Anne Brument (Director of Cultural Action), Christophe Picquart (Director of the Public Spaces and Proximity Department), and Julien Leloup (Deputy Mayor responsible for Public Works, Roads, Shops, Markets, Parking, and Vice-President of the Neighborhood Council for Grosse Pierre / Croix Saint-Loup / Corniche / Hauts de Chantereine).

With a total surface area of 3,500 m², the Meaux Music Complex Simone Veil has been designed as a true center of excellence. It will include a 300-seat auditorium, a concert hall and modern facilities for the Harmonie and the Conservatoire de Meaux. The aim of this high-quality music teaching facility is to be accessible to all, amateurs and professionals alike.

Participants also discovered the ecological aspect of the project: a green roof, a grassy area adorned with large trees, and environmentally-friendly materials. This environmental dimension was praised, as was the financial support of the Region and the Département, which enabled work to start in May 2023. The Music Complex is scheduled to open on March 8, 2025, International Women's Rights Day, underlining the desire to combine culture and symbolism in an inclusive, unifying setting.

Located on the site of the former Meaux prison, the Music Complex retains significant elements of its history. During the meeting, images and testimonials revealed the extent of the renovation work. Several classrooms have been converted from historic cells, with vaulted ceilings recreated to preserve authenticity while ensuring optimum acoustics. Remnants of the building's past, such as cell doors reused for technical rooms, bear witness to the memory of the site. These elements, combined with resolutely contemporary architecture, mark a unique symbiosis between past and future.

At the same time, the structure of the auditorium, already well advanced, was the subject of much discussion. Covered with stainless steel plates evoking musical notes, it divides opinions. Some local residents are skeptical about its aesthetics, while others welcome its originality and cultural symbolism. In addition to the auditorium, the Cité de la Musique will feature an orchestra rehearsal hall capable of accommodating 160 musicians, three other rehearsal rooms and seven training rooms. These modern facilities will meet the needs of musicians and conservatory students, while being open to new cultural initiatives for the general public.

The public meeting also provided an opportunity to reassure local residents about the organization of the works. A special effort is being made to limit nuisance and ensure smooth access, thanks to the 110 parking spaces planned, 97 of which are underground. This large-scale project, which embodies both innovation and preservation, was presented as a major asset for Meaux's cultural influence. Residents in attendance praised the ambition of this initiative, while expressing their impatience to discover this venue that promises to transform the city's cultural landscape for good.

The meeting closed with a reminder of the key stages ahead: completion of the works scheduled for January 2025, followed by a month's relocation for an official opening on March 8, 2025. The Music complex Simone Veil is already shaping up to be a symbol of renewal and a driving force for musical education and creation in the region.

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville