[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

Théâtre de l’Athénée Louis Jouvet
Une première salle, fondée en 1867 rue Scribe par Pasdeloup, nommée successivement théâtre Scribe puis Athénée-Comique, fut expropriée en 1883. La salle actuelle ouverte en 1899, square de l’Opéra, reçut le nom d’Athénée. Louis Jouvet en prit la direction en 1934; il y fit donner par une troupe prestigieuse, dans les somptueux décors de Christian Bérard, des pièces de Molière, Marcel Achard. En 1935 "La Guerre de Troie n’aura pas lieu". de Jean Giraudoux, bouleversa tout Paris.

[Illustration of the theater]

Ici même, le 16 août 1951, Louis Jouvet mourut brutalement, dans son bureau, laissant le théâtre orphelin d’un maître incontesté.

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The sign depicts the Athena Theatre, a theater run by Louis Jouvet, who died of a heart attack while conducting a rehearsal at the theater.

The theater was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image Click for a larger image

The illustration in the center of the sign is shown here at magnification Click for a larger image

Translation of the text on the sign:
[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

Théâtre de l’Athénée
A first hall, founded in 1867 on rue Scribe by Pasdeloup, successively named Théâtre Scribe then Athénée-Comique, was expropriated in 1883. The current hall opened in 1899, square de l’Opéra, was named Athénée. Louis Jouvet took charge in 1934; he had a prestigious troupe perform there, in the sumptuous settings of Christian Bérard, of plays by Molière and Marcel Achard. In 1935 “The Trojan War will not take place”. by Jean Giraudoux, shocked all of Paris.

[Illustration of the theater]

Right here, on August 16, 1951, Louis Jouvet died suddenly, in his office, leaving the theater orphaned by an undisputed master.