While the former convention center of Rouen (Seine Maritime), located at the corner of rue des Carmes and place de la cathedral, was destroyed in 2009, that Matmut has given up on building one in the former teacher training college, route de Neufchâtel, in 2016, the Metropolis Rouen Normandy proposes to install a brand new one instead of the Lapeyre store, 4 rue Nansen, not far from Docks 76.

Lapeyre closes, a new convention center opens

La Métropole is currently in negotiations with the store to consider moving to a new location.

This project is close to Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, President of the Metropolis. “There is a lack between H20 and the Zénith for organizing congresses. One is too small, the other too big, you need an in-between. Once, when I was regional president, we had to move into the Opera. It was nice and original, of course, but it was not suitable”, we had appointed the mayor of Rouen in September 2021.

The project was first imagined on the Saint-Gervais esplanade. After taking into account many criteria, it will therefore be the block called “Lapeyre”, named after the commercial sign currently installed, which will host this large-scale project. The Rouen congress center should see the light of day by 2030.

“A need for the local economy”

According to the Métropole Rouen Normandie, a market study has confirmed “the opportunity of a congress facility on our territory”. “It is a need for the local economy, in particular for players in health, research and higher education, today forced to organize their congresses elsewhere than in Rouen or in often difficult conditions. adapted to the challenges”, assures the Metropolis.

A convention center is also “source of special mentions for trade, hotels and restaurants”, continues the Metropolis.

A 1,000-seat amphitheater

Secondly, the Métropole Rouen Normandie conducted a programming and determination study, defined the technical characteristics of the future equipment:

• minimum footprint, including parking, of 9,900 m²,
• 12,790m program² of which 12,533 m² collective equipment,
• a 1,000-seat amphitheater and an additional 400-seat hall,
• possibility of supplementing the equipment with a hotel.

The launch of the project management competition will take place in September 2023 and the project selection jury will be selected in November 2024. The delivery of the equipment is selected for January 2031.

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