Passage Molière, one of Paris’ oldest passages
The picturesque Passage Molière, which connects No. 82 of Rue Quincampoix to Nos. 157-159-161 of Rue Saint-Martin is one of the few remaining passages in Paris.
Unlike the typical Parisian covered galleries, the Passage Molière is an open-air paved alley with a unique character, and its entrance/exit porches blends harmoniously with the buildings lining Quincampoix and Saint-Martin streets.
The Passage Molière stands out for its unconventional house numbering system.
The houses lining it are indeed numbered sequentially, contrary to the common practice of alternating even and odd numbers on opposite pavements.
The 46-meter-long and 2.75-meter-wide passage also has a slightly curved floor in its centre, forming a small gutter facilitating the flow of rainwater.
Passage Moliere – Maison de la Poésie
The Passage Molière is also one of the oldest Parisian passages.
Its origins date back to the late 18th century, when Boursault, former director of the Théâtre de Marseille, commissioned the construction of the Théâtre Molière in 1791, shortly after the start of the French Revolution.
As the main entrance to the theatre was on Rue Saint-Martin, Boursault created this passage to allow access to the back of the theatre and the artists’ door.
The theatre was inaugurated on June 4, 1791, with a performance of “The Misanthrope,” a play by the famous playwright Molière.
However, the passage underwent several name changes during the Revolution. In 1793, it was renamed Passage des Sans-Culottes to pay homage to the popular classes, known as Sans-Culottes, who played an instrumental role in the Revolution.
The passage was renamed Passage des Nourrices, because the theatre was built on the site of a former wet nurses’ office. It retained this name until the end of the 18th century, when it reverted to its original name, Passage Molière.
After experiencing various periods of success, the Théâtre Molière declined and was sold to private individuals.
Over time, the building housed various commercial activities until its acquisition by the City of Paris in the 1970s. At that time, little remained of the original theatre, apart from a few vestiges such as the magnificent staircase leading to the ballroom, some stone columns, and a few rooms.
However, the building was classified as a historical monument in 1974. It was fully restored and reopened as Maison de la Poésie, a cultural centre dedicated to poetry and the arts.
Paris’ best kept secret!
The Passage Molière is one of Paris’s best kept secrets! This small, village-like alleyway seems frozen in time, offering a glimpse of Paris from a bygone era.
While it may not be extravagantly architecturally striking, it exudes a unique charm with its eclectic mix of original art and craft shops and workshops offering everything from foot and hand casts to other curious objects just waiting to be explored, antique bookshops brimming with literary treasures, and tiny restaurants and cafés with charming terraces, ideal for enjoying a café crème on a beautiful sunny day.
Directions: 3rd District
Metro: Rambuteau on Line 11
Coordinates: Lat 48.862403 – Long 2.351187
