It is a symbol for Lorient. Since Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the white letters of the former cinema Le Rex no longer appear on Paul-Bert Street. They have been removed, one by one, in order to install a wooden facade covering the iconic storefront. “Seeing the letters on the ground, a lady shed a few tears,” recounts Mathieu Clémence, project manager at the Icônes printing house, which was entrusted with the installation of this temporary facade. “By this Friday, May 22, the wooden panels will be covered by an advertisement,” he adds. This will provide information on the ongoing rehabilitation project of the former cinema in Lorient.
Several unsuccessful projects
Opened in 1958, the establishment housed a 1056-seat screening room with a balcony. Faced with a drop in attendance, two commercial spaces were created in 1981 on either side of the building. But this was not enough. In 1999, Le Rex closed its doors permanently. Rehabilitation projects were then considered, but nothing came to fruition. The Lorient association J’ai vu un documentaire proposed a cinema-bistro idea. For the City, the project was “interesting for the cinema side” but did not “find its financial balance,” explains the mayor, Fabrice Loher – the project will finally come to fruition at the Manège*. And as for housing, “it was not satisfying.”
“A residential building, shops, and redevelopment of the block”
A start of works “at best by mid-2027”
The site then began to deteriorate over time. Until May 10, a letter from the City of Lorient informed residents of a “preliminary project” for the redevelopment of the building. Led by the real estate developer Marignan, it is intended to “accommodate a residential building, shops, and block redevelopment.” “Before any urban planning authorization, a public inquiry will be organized after the summer of 2026,” it is specified. This will be followed by a “public meeting,” with the building permit being “envisaged between late 2026 and early 2027.” “If we submit the building permit at the end of the year and imagine a three-month instruction and three-month administrative delays, work could start at best by mid-2027,” says Romain Le Baron, head of land development at Marignan. “On this type of project, work generally lasts 20 months.”
As for the concrete result? “Too early to tell,” says Marignan when Fabrice Loher mentions “about forty housing units.” “There will be commerce on the Paul-Bert street front,” adds the mayor, speaking of “completely deconstructing and rebuilding in the spirit of the place with a glass bay that will recall the frontage of the Rex.” “The idea is really to preserve the historical footprint of the site as much as possible,” explains Romain Le Baron. In Lorient, everyone has a family member who went to see a movie at the Rex.” This is the case for Philippe, 66, who lingered on Wednesday, May 20, in front of the new facade and the history traced by the Icônes printing house. “It’s good that things are moving,” they react at Étoile, the store facing the now letterless storefront. Marignan specifies that they will be “kept safe and warm.” As for their restoration, “we’re not there yet, but the Rex inscription will remain clearly visible,” they assure. This might offer some comfort to the silent lady witnessing the removal.
