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Leave the Louvre des Antiquaires and cross Place du Palais Royal. Follow rue St-Honoré and you will almost immediately find yourself on Place Colette. France’s national theatre, the
Comédie Française, will be on your right. built between 1787 and 1790, this theatre has enjoyed state patronage since Louis XIV first founded a theatre company in 1680. This lovely building looks out over two pleasant, if somewhat traffic-choked, squares that are named after two writers: Colette and André Malraux. It is the setting for the works of great French dramatists such as Molière, Corneille and Racine, as well as Shakespeare and some modern playwrights. The present company can trace its roots to Molière’s troupe of 17th-century actors. This understated Neoclassical building is built of a beige sandstone and is fronted by a Tuscan colonnade. It was enlarged in the early 19th century and completely rebuilt in 1900 after being damaged by fire.
Comédie Française
Tours: 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am Sat and Sun
Tel: 01. 44 58 13 16
Did You Know?
In the foyer of the Comédie Française is the armchair where Molière collapsed on stage in 1673 (ironically while performing Le Malade Imaginaire – The Hypochondriac).
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Leave Place Colette by turning right onto rue de Richelieu and the Fontaine Molière will be at the sharp junction of rue Molière on your left. The famous playwright lived in a house on the site of what is now No. 40 rue de Richelieu. This imposing fountain dates from 1844 and replaces the earlier Fountain Richelieu which was demolished to improve traffic circulation in the area. The main statue is in bronze and was sculpted by Bernard Seuer Gabriel, while the overall design is the work of Louis Visconti, the man who also designed the fountain in front of St-Sulpice and Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides.
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Retrace your steps down rue de Richelieu and you will come to the Musée du Louvre, arguably the world’s most famous museum. Few can compare in size or in the quality of its collections, which cover everything from ancient Egypt and Rome to some of the most important works of art ever created in Europe. Do not underestimate the sheer size of this museum and do not try to see everything at once. Make a list of some key items and you will invariably pass some pleasant surprises on the way. The building itself is a vast former
Tuileries
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