Saint Victor in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe

Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia

— Histoire de Paris —

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023

1. Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Peut-être dès la fin du 1er siècle après Jésus-Christ fut construit un amphithéâtre à simple appareil de pierres, sans aucun chaînage de briques. Ruiné par les invasions barbares du Ille siècle, ses matériaux sont remployés par les Gallo-Romains, réfugiés dans l'île de la Cité. S'il laisse une trace dans la topographie médiévale sous le nom de clos aux arènes, son emplacement exact reste ignoré jusqu'en 1858. Redécouvert à l'ouverture de la rue Monge en 1869, sur un terrain acquis par la Compagnie Générale des Omnibus pour y installer ses véhicules et ses écuries, est exposé à la démolition. L'opinion publique, émue de l'affaire, ouvre une souscription pour son rachat, mais il faut attendre 1917 pour le voir restauré dans son état actuel.

(English translation:)

Perhaps as early as the end of the 1st century AD, an amphitheater was built here of simple stone masonry, without any chaining of bricks. Ruined by the barbarian invasions of the 3rd century, its materials were reused by the Gallo-Romans, refugees on the Île de la Cité. Although it may have left a trace in the medieval

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topography under the name of clos aux arènes (“near the arenas”), its exact location remained unknown until 1858. Rediscovered at the opening of Rue Monge in 1869, on land acquired by the Compagnie Générale des Omnibus as a site for its vehicles and stables, it was susceptible to demolition. Public opinion, moved by the discovery, opened a subscription for its preservation, but it was not until 1917 that it was restored to its current state.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 48° 50.706′ N, 2° 21.139′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Saint Victor. Marker is on Rue Monge, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49 Rue Monge, Paris, Île-de-France 75005, France. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henri Curiel (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Fondane (within shouting distance of this marker); Arenes de Lutece / Arenas of Lutetia (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Emile Mâle (about 90 meters away); L’Archéologie à Paris / Archaeology in Paris

Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023

2. Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia Marker - wide view

The marker is situated to the right of the entrance to a corridor which leads into the park (Square des Arènes de Lutèce) and arena.

(about 90 meters away); 1869, Découverte des Arènes de Lutèce / 1869, Discovery of the Arenas of Lutetia (about 90 meters away); Ecole Élémentaire Rollin Jewish Students Deportation Memorial (about 120 meters away); Paul de Chomedey (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . . Arènes de Lutèce (Wikipedia).

Excerpts: The Arènes de Lutèce ("Arenas of Lutetia") are among the most important ancient Roman remains in Paris (known in antiquity as Lutetia), together with the Thermes de Cluny. Constructed in the 1st century AD, this theatre could once seat 15,000 people and was used also as an amphitheatre to show gladiatorial combats.

The terraced seating surrounded more than half of the arena's circumference, more typical of an ancient Greek theatre rather than a Roman one which was semi-circular.

(Submitted on August 19, 2023.)

Arch above the Rue Monge entrance to the Arenas of Lutetia image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023

3. Arch above the Rue Monge entrance to the Arenas of Lutetia

On the arch above the entrance to the corridor leading to the arena is an inscription reading (in translation): “northern portion discovered in 1869; southern portion brought to daylight 1883-85; restored as a whole 1917-18.” Note also the gladiator helmet jutting off of the arch.

Arena interior - looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023

4. Arena interior - looking north

Here the exit from the Rue Monge (i.e., marker site) corridor into the arena is visible on the left.

Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia - looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Hauser, photo-edits., Paris, circa 1905

5. Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia - looking south

Note that the appearance of the arena has changed a little bit since this photo was taken - on the right some new buildings were constructed (10-20 years after this photo) on Rue Monge, and as a consequence a small part of the arena area was lost.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.