Théâtre de la Renaissance

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The Théâtre de la Renaissance, located on the Boulevard Saint-Martin, in the Xe arrondissement of Paris, opened its doors in 1838 under the sponsorship of Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, père, who wanted to have a location for mounting their historical dramas.

In 1838, Hugo’s Ruy Blas starring Frédérick Lemaître had a successful debut, and the French version of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor was preduced there in 1839. But, due to theatrical intrigues of the time, it was forced to close in 1841. It reopened in 1871, once more with the blessing of Hugo.

Feydeau’s farces were first produced in this theater, and plays by Victorien Sardou. Among the actors who triumphed there were Sarah Bernhardt, Eleanora Duse, and Raimu and later Agnès Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri.