[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

Théâtre des Variétés
Construit en forme de temple grec par Célerier sur l’emplacement du jardin de l’hôtel de Montmorency-Luxembourg, le théâtre des Variétés est inauguré le 24 juin 1807. Frédérick Lemaître y triomphe en 1836 dans "Kean" d’Alexandre Dumas. Le 22 novembre 1849 y a lieu la première représentation de "la Vie de Bohème" de Murger, vouée à un énorme succès. L’apogée du théâtre se situe entre 1864 et 1869, quand Offenbach y donne "la Belle Hélène", "Barbe Bleue", "La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein" avec Hortense Schneider dans le rôle principal A la fin du XIXe siècle, d’excellents acteurs, dont Réjane, y jouent les comédies de Robert de Flers et Gaston de Caillavet Au 9, le café des Variétés, contemporain du théâtre, était le rendez-vous des comédiens et des auteurs.

[Illustration of the of the theater]

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The sign describes the Théâtre des Variétés, a building declared in 1974 as a French historical heritage site (although no sign indicating this has been found). There were premieres of several well-known works mainly by Jacques Offenbach.

The place was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image

The illustration in the center of the sign is shown here at magnification Click for a larger image

Translation of the text on the sign:

[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

Variety Theater
Built in the shape of a Greek temple by Célerier on the site of the garden of the Hôtel de Montmorency-Luxembourg, the Théâtre des Variétés was inaugurated on June 24, 1807. Frédérick Lemaître triumphed there in 1836 in "Kean" by Alexandre Dumas. On November 22, 1849, the first performance of “La Vie de Bohème” by Murger took place there, destined to be an enormous success. The apogee of the theater was between 1864 and 1869, when Offenbach gave "La Belle Hélène", "Bluebeard", "La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein" with Hortense Schneider in the main role. At the end of the 19th century, excellent actors, including Réjane, perform the comedies of Robert de Flers and Gaston de Caillavet. At 9, the Café des Variétés, contemporary with the theater, was the meeting place for actors and authors.

[Illustration of the of the theater]
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