Théâtre Le Ranelagh, Historic theatre in 16th arrondissement, Paris, France
Théâtre Le Ranelagh is a listed historic theatre in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, housed in a rectangular hall with carved oak woodwork and a ceiling of twenty-one wooden coffered panels. The auditorium seats around 400 people and retains the handcrafted appearance of earlier periods.
The building traces back to a private music room built in 1755 at Boulainvilliers Castle, where figures such as Rousseau and Voltaire are said to have gathered. During the 20th century it was gradually converted into a public theatre and has welcomed regular audiences since then.
The name Ranelagh comes from a famous London pleasure garden of the 18th century, where fashionable society once gathered. Today, audiences sit beneath carved oak panels and a coffered ceiling that still carry that sense of refinement.
The theatre sits in the residential Ranelagh neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement and is easy to reach by metro. Booking in advance is a good idea, as the hall has limited seating and popular shows tend to sell out.
The carved wooden sculptures and moldings inside were made in Belgium and installed by architect Alban Chambon during a renovation commissioned by Louis Mors. This continental woodworking tradition is rarely found in a Parisian theatre setting.
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