Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Theater in 10th arrondissement of Paris, France.
The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is a theater building on Boulevard Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement of Paris with classical architecture. Its facade displays columns and ornate details, while the interior has multiple levels with seating areas, galleries, and private boxes throughout.
Nicolas Lenoir designed the original building in 1781 after a fire destroyed an earlier performance venue nearby. Following its destruction during the Paris Commune in 1871, architect Oscar de la Chardonnière rebuilt it with redesigned interiors.
The name refers to a gate that once stood nearby as part of Paris's old city walls, connecting the theater to the neighborhood's identity. Inside, the decorated spaces show how 19th-century artists approached interior design with attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The building sits at a prominent spot on the boulevard and is easy to find with its distinctive street-level entrance. Keep in mind that older staircases and multiple interior levels may make navigation challenging, especially for those with mobility concerns.
The building hosted the premiere of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, featuring the renowned actor Constant Coquelin. That production became one of the most celebrated French plays of its era and cemented the theater's place in Parisian cultural history.
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