Paris - Latin Quarter: Arénes de Lutéce

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Taken in Paris, Ile-de-France (See more photos or videos here)

48°50' 42" N, 2°21' 10" E

The Arènes de Lutèce are some of the only remaining ruins from the Gallo-Roman era in Paris (formerly known as Lutèce in French or Lutetia in Latin). Constructed in the 1st century AD, this amphitheater once housed gladiatorial contests, circus acts and popular theatrical productions. Today the Arènes de Lutèce is a public park, accessible by entrances on three sides.

The sunken arena was surrounded by an 8.2-foot high wall, surmounted by a parapet. A 135-foot long stage allowed scenes to alternate between theatrical productions and combat. A series of nine niches aided in improving the acoustics. Five cubbyholes were situated beneath the lower bleachers, of which three appear to have been animal cages that opened directly into the arena. Historians believe that the bleachers, which surrounded more than half of the arena's circumference, could accommodate as many as 17,000 spectators, who were sheltered fromt he sun by a linen awning.

When Lutèce was attacked during the barbaric invasions of 280 A.D., some of the structure's stone work was carted off to reinforce the city's defenses around the Île de la Cité. The amphitheater subsequently became became a cemetery, and was later filled in following the construction of Philippe Auguste's walls (ca. 1210). Its location unknown for centuries, the arena was discovered by Théodore Vaquer during the building of the Rue Monge between 1860-1869, when the Compagnie Générale des Omnibus sought to build a tramway depot on the site.

A preservation committee, led by Victor Hugo, called la Société des Amis des Arènes, fought to save the site. After the demolition of the Couvent des Filles de Jésus-Christ in 1883, one-third of the arena was uncovered. The Municipal Council dedicated funds to restoring the arena and establishing it as a public square, which was opened in 1896. After the tramway lines and depot were dismantled in 1916 and line 10 of the Paris Métro was constructed, the doctor and anthropologist Jean-Louis Capitan continued with additional excavation and restoration. The neighboring Square Capitan, built on the site of the old Saint-Victor reservoir, is dedicated to his memory.

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_panapa_ says:

A user of panapa picked up your photograph to illustrate Les arènes de Lutèce.
Posted 9 days ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Paris, Ile-de-France (map)
Taken with a Canon PowerShot SD1000.
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Taken on September 7, 2007

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Paris - Latin Quarter: Arénes de Lutéce

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