Ancienne Comédie d'Avignon, former theatre in Avignon, France, built 1732, demolished with the façade remaining
This is a theater building located on place Crillon in central Avignon, constructed in 1732 as the first dedicated performance space in the city. The facade features four ionic columns supporting an entablature, crowned by a triangular pediment with an Apollo bust symbolizing theater and music.
Built in 1732 by architect Thomas Laine and funded by wealthy Avignon families, it was the first building designed specifically for performances in the city. It operated until 1825, when a larger opera house opened on place de l'Horloge, causing the original theater to be repurposed as private property.
The name evokes the French theatrical tradition and reflects how the city valued performance arts. It represents a period when Avignon invested in dedicated spaces for drama, making theater a central part of community gatherings.
The site is easily reached from place Crillon in the city center, close to the Rhone river, making it a natural stop during a walk through town. The interior is not open to visitors today, but the preserved facade can be viewed from the street to see the historical architecture.
The square where the building stands was originally called place de l'Oulle and was renamed place de la Comédie after the theater opened, showing how much this building influenced the city's identity. This naming change demonstrates the importance of the theater to the community and its impact on the urban landscape.
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