The five-screen multiplex marks the third Pays de la Loire opening for the family-run circuit, showcasing the latest in laser projection, immersive audio, and curved screen innovation
CinemaNext has completed a comprehensive technology installation for the new Grand Écran cinema in Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée (France), which opened its doors on 19 November 2025. The five-screen, 750-seat multiplex represents the third recent opening in the Pays de la Loire region for the Fridemann family's Grand Écran circuit, following launches in Montaigu-Vendée and La Chapelle-sur-Erdre in 2024.
The €4.7 million facility, designed by Blamm Architecture, replaces the town's historic three-screen Renaissance cinema with a modern venue featuring 100% laser projection, Dolby Atmos immersive sound in the flagship auditorium, and five curved screens – a signature premium touch that enhances the viewing experience across all auditoriums.
Complete Technology Package
CinemaNext provided a turnkey technology solution encompassing projection, sound, automation, and screen systems. The installation features an impressive array of Barco laser projection technology, carefully matched to each auditorium's specific requirements.
Premium Curved Screen Technology
A distinctive feature of the installation is CinemaNext's P-Screen curved screen system deployed across all five auditoriums – a premium touch rarely seen in multiplexes of this size. The modular P-Screen Frame V3 system creates elegant, curved configurations:
Auditorium 1: 15 x 6.27-metre curved screen with wall-mounted speaker gallery
Auditorium 2: 14 x 5.85-metre curved configuration
Auditorium 3: 11 x 4.6-metre curved screen
Auditoriums 4 & 5: Twin 8 x 3.35-metre curved screens
Each curved screen installation includes wall support frames and integrated speaker galleries, allowing acoustic transparency whilst maintaining the premium curved geometry. The screens utilise high-quality Harkness Perlux HiWhite materials with appropriate perforation patterns optimised for each auditorium's acoustic and visual requirements.
CinemaNext also supplied five PAA20+ automation adapters to manage show automation across the complex, integrating projection, sound, lighting, and masking systems. The projection rooms feature MN Mounting Solutions pedestals (including PAP-1150/44U units for the main auditorium and PAP-900/34U units for smaller screens) and comprehensive cabling infrastructure.
The whole thing is built to ensure that the cinema operators have maximum control and oversight, with minimum need for manual operation.
Strategic Investment in a Growing Market
"As we've worked with Grand Écran on their expansion across the Pays de la Loire region, it's been exciting to see their commitment to bringing truly modern cinema experiences to communities that deserve them," notes Julien Marmiesse, CinemaNext Sales Manager, Southwestern France. "The Fontenay-le-Comte project showcases what's possible when you combine thoughtful design, premium technology, and a genuine understanding of what today's audiences expect. From the flagship Dolby Atmos screen to the curved screens throughout - these aren't just technical specifications.They're about creating memorable experiences that bring people back to cinemas."
The opening of Grand Écran Fontenay-le-Comte reflects careful strategic planning by the Fridemann family. As Sacha Fridemann, Managing Director of the Grand Écran group, explained to France Bleu: ""We are a private company, so by definition, everything we do is carefully thought out beforehand. It’s always a gamble. But the reason we took an interest in this town is because we believe in it. There’s a demographic and economic momentum here that has re-emerged since the 2010s, and in light of that, there was a need to modernize the existing cinema offering.”
The Aquitaine-based group, which already operates the recent cinemas in Montaigu-Vendée (opened in June 2024) and La Chapelle-sur-Erdre (opened in November 2024), is optimistic about 2026. "2026 is shaping up to be a strong year. And so, to launch new activities, you need promising markets coupled with major releases," Fridemann added.
Seamless Transition and Future Ambitions
The transition from the Renaissance to Grand Écran was carefully orchestrated with no interruption to cinema services for the community – the Renaissance played its final screening on Tuesday 18 November, with Grand Écran opening the following day! The new facility targets 130,000 to 150,000 admissions annually, nearly double the Renaissance's 80,000 tickets in 2024.
With the addition of Fontenay-le-Comte, Grand Écran now operates 14 cinemas with 108 screens across Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The circuit recorded 2.2 million admissions in 2024, ranking tenth among French exhibitors by attendance.
The cinema's eco-responsible credentials include 500 m² of rooftop photovoltaic panels and reflective white roofing, achieving approximately 35% energy autonomy – demonstrating that premium cinema technology and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.
For Fontenay-le-Comte, a town of 14,000 inhabitants with strong demographic and economic momentum, the new Grand Écran represents more than just a cinema upgrade – it's a statement of confidence in the community's future and the enduring appeal of the big-screen experience.
CinemaNext Delivers State-of-the-Art Cinema Technology for Grand Écran Fontenay-le-Comte