We propose you to go on a literary walk on the tracks of the places that made the legend of the famous French playwright Molière, also known as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Born in Paris, he spent a large part of his life in the capital, in its many theaters. Many emblematic places of the City of Light have also marked the life of this actor, a great figure of classicism and French theater.
On foot, it will take you less than an hour to walk around these places tinged withhistory, with the Louvre district grouping together the majority of the points of interest.
The Pavillon des Singes is Molière's childhood home. This name comes from a decoration on a cornice post, which represented a tree populated by monkeys picking fruits. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin lived there from his birth in 1622 until about 1634. Demolished in 1802, the house is today number 96 of the rue Saint-Honoré, at the intersection with the rue Sauval, in the Halles district.
However, there is a persistent legend about Molière's birthplace. For many years, some believed that he was born at 31 rue du Pont-Neuf, but historical research has proven otherwise. However, a plaque with Molière's face remains on the house.
Metro 1: Louvre-Rivoli
Located across from the Louvre, this church is known as the parish of the artists. On January 23, 1662, Molière signed a marriage contract with Armande Béjart, aged about twenty, whom he married on February 20 in this beautiful Gothic church.
This bronze fountain , built by the architect Visconti, is located at the corner of rue de Richelieu and rue Molière, and was inaugurated in 1844 as a monument to the playwright. Two female marble allegories, La Comédie sérieuse and La Comédie légère, are located under that of Molière and hold scrolls listing the works of the French comedian.
Metro 7: Pyramids
Until October 1660, Molière's plays were performed at the Hôtel du Petit-Bourbon, but it was demolished on October 11, 1660. King Louis XIV then granted the playwright's troupe the right to perform his plays in the famous hall of the Palais-Royal, where the great majority of his works would be performed.
Molière was living at number 40 rue de Richelieu when he died on February 17, 1673, after the fourth performance of his play Le Malade Imaginaire. If you wish to visit the tomb of the famous playwright, go to the Père-Lachaise cemetery. When he died, he was buried in the Saint-Joseph cemetery, at the end of the 18th century, but it has since disappeared. His remains were moved in 1817 to Père-Lachaise, where they still lie.
So, are you ready to follow in the footsteps of one of France's greatest playwrights?
Dates and Opening Time
Starts January 21th, 2022
Prices
Free
Average duration
1 h
