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Of Paris + Gladiators: Arènes de Lutèce

9.16.2014
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece
Arenes de Lutece

Long before Paris was the Paris of Kings and Queens, Haussmann buildings and the Eiffel Tower, it was a small settlement called Lutetia, home to the Gallo-Romans, more than two thousand years ago...

I was so excited to discover that one of the two remaining remnants in Paris of the Roman period is in my neighborhood - Les Arènes de Lutèce (French for Lutetia), a partially reconstructed Gallo-Roman amphitheater originally built around the first century AD. It showcased wild animals, gladiatorial combat and theatrical performances until 280 AD, when it was sacked by the barbarian invasion, then buried for centuries until its foundation was rediscovered in the 1860's during the road construction of Rue Monge. A committee led by writer Victor Hugo pleaded for the site's preservation, whereupon more of the arena was excavated and restored over subsequent years.

Historians have estimated the amphitheater once held roughly 16,000-18,000 people. Some of the lower portions of the tiered seating was restored, the platform and niches from the stage settings are still visible, as well as cages where animals were kept before being let out onto the arena.

My son and I watched a burlesque show at Les Arènes de Lutèce recently, and I couldn't get over the haunting sense of the past... sitting in the ancient space of gladiators and wild tigers, of shouting spectators and stoic Roman statesmen. At once disquieting and extraordinary...

To see a video and animation of what the amphitheater looked like in its prime and where it stood in yesterday's Paris, visit: Lutece 3D: Voyage au Paris antique.


Les Arènes de Lutèce
Address: 47 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris (Latin Quarter)
Hours: Open daily - Summer 9am-9:30pm, Winter 8am-5:30pm
Admission: Free

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"It is not possible that Paris, the city of the future, 
should renounce the living proof that it was a city of the past." - Victor Hugo

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9 comments

  1. Fascinating. There are few things that chill me to the bone more than that sense of deep history - being in a spot that held people just like me centuries ago. My most powerful experiences of this kind were in Greece. Also so very interesting to learn that Victor Hugo was a part of the preservation of this place!

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  2. Oh the stories these walls could tell, if they could talk, eh? The stone work is beautiful and ancient. I love Historical places! How very cool to live in a place that so old as this! Have a fototastic #WW!

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  3. Oh your beautiful pictures and words come as a timely reminder that I have always wanted to go to the arènes de Lutèce! These are the kind of places and spaces that make me travel in time and set my imagination in motion.

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  4. All I could think of as a scrolled through the pictures was the movie Gladiator, and then you go on to tell us about the romans and its history! I can't even pick a favorite...all the details you captured are amazing!

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  5. That is exactly why I so love to live in Europe...so much history and reminders that on the same pavement I am walking the Romans walked or Vikings or looking at the mountains which Alexander the Great crossed with elephants!!
    Here at the Lake Geneva we have plenty of Roman sites as well....they probably enjoyed the view and the mild climate!
    Wonderful pictures you took of what must have been an exciting outing.
    Ps I am not in town - was there at the end of last month only for a day.

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  6. Such wonderful history, but I hate to think of the blood shed there. I'm a squeamish sort sometimes!
    Thank you for stopping by http://www.image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/09/elodie-farms.html and sharing your post! I hope to see you each week~

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  7. How wonderful, Catherine, to be able to explore these places and to share the history with your son. I will be sure to check out the link you provided as well. Thanks

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  8. This is a stunning location! What amazing history in one place.

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  9. Your photographs gave me a sense of antiquity. I love the last - the hard stone and the fragile leaves are a good metaphor.

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