Théâtre Français

The Théâtre Français, France's oldest national theater, is the home of the Comédie Française, the national theatrical company.

The Comédie Française, founded by Louis XIV in 1680, originated from the troupe headed by Molière until his death in 1673. In 1812 Napoleon issued a decree making it a State company whose director was - and still is - appointed by the government.

The company's theater was built between 1786 and 1790 and occupied by the Comédie Française in 1792. After being burned down in 1799 it was rebuilt in 1807. The present facade dates from 1867, the interior from the turn of the century, following thorough restoration and enlargement from 1900 onwards. In the foyer are Molière's chair, in which he died after suffering a haemorrhage, and Jean-Antoine Houdon's well- known bust of the ageing Voltaire (1781).

The Comédie Française confines itself mainly to the classical French repertoire, including the dramas and comedies of Corneille, Racine, Molière, Marivaux and Beaumarchais, together with such modern classics as Paul Claudel, Jean Giraudoux, Jean Anouilh and Samuel Beckett.