Saint Victor in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
Arenes de Lutece / Arenas of Lutetia
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023
1. Arenes de Lutece / Arenas of Lutetia Marker
Arenes de Lutece
ou les joutes nautiques succedaient aux luttes de gladiateurs. Les combats de fauves a la representation des comedies et des drames.
Passant songe devant ce premier monument de Paris, que la ville du passe est aussi la cite de l'avenira et celle de tes espoirs
Don du Syndicat d'Initiatives des Arenes de Lutece a l'occasion du bi-millenaire de Paris 1951
Texte de Jean Paulhan
It was here that the municipal life of Paris began in the second century of our era. Ten thousand persons could be comfortably accommodated in the Arena of Lutetia, where nautical jousts followed gladiator fights. The fights of wild animals followed the performance of comedies and dramas.
While passing by here in front of this first monument of Paris, consider that the city of the past is also the city of the future, and that of your hopes, as well.
A
this page online
Text by Jean Paulhan
Erected 1951 by Syndicat d'Initiatives des Arenes de Lutece.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 48° 50.675′ N, 2° 21.195′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Saint Victor. Marker can be reached from Rue de Navarre. The marker is in the passageway between Rue de Navarre and the arena floor, about 10 meters in from the street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paris, Île-de-France 75005, France. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1869, Découverte des Arènes de Lutèce / 1869, Discovery of the Arenas of Lutetia (a few steps from this marker); L’Archéologie à Paris / Archaeology in Paris (a few steps from this marker); Emile Mâle (within shouting distance of this marker); Les Arènes de Lutèce / The Arenas of Lutetia (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Henri Curiel (about 90 meters away); Benjamin Fondane (about 120 meters away); Ecole Élémentaire Rollin Jewish Students Deportation Memorial (about 180 meters away); Paul de Chomedey (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023
2. Arenes de Lutece / Arenas of Lutetia Marker - wide view
The marker is visible on the right, located in the passage between the street and the arena floor.
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.(Submitted on February 16, 2024.)
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.
Slaves, the poor, and women were relegated to the higher tiers while the lower seating areas were reserved for Roman male citizens. For comfort, a linen awning sheltered spectators from the hot sun.
When Lutèce was sacked during the barbarian raids of AD 275, some of the structure's stone work was used to reinforce the city's defences around the Île de la Cité. However, Chilperic I had it repaired in 577 and gave performances there. Subsequently, the theatre became a cemetery, and was filled in completely following the construction of wall of Philippe Auguste (ca. 1210).
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 26, 2023
3. Arena interior, as seen from mouth of the Rue de Navarre passageway
Photographed By Aqua Photos, Paris, circa 1902
4. Les Arenes de Lutece
The entrance into the arena visible here is the same as from which the previous photo was taken.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on February 15, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 16, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
