Arènes de Lutèce – Lutetia Arena
This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Paris, Sorbonne University, Pantheon and Luxembourg Gardens
As we’ve mentioned before, we’re in the oldest part of Paris. The Lutetia Arena before you is a prime example. Imagine yourself back in the 2nd century, joining 17,000 others to watch a fight or a show in this arena at the heart of Lutetia. Renovated at various times, it is known that Chilperic, grandson of Clovis, restored and used the arena in the 6th century as a performance venue. Abandoned and then forgotten, it eventually became completely buried. It was not until the 19th century, during the large-scale urbanization of Paris, that it was rediscovered. The construction of Rue Monge revealed the first remnants, which were destroyed in the process. Later, the Paris transport company uncovered other parts of the complex, but was also authorized to demolish them. The excitement over the discovery of Roman ruins clashed with the desire for progress and modernity. The struggle intensified with excavations conducted by the Society of Architects, followed by the creation of a committee for the preservation of the arena. Its historical value is immense. Ultimately, it was thanks to the support of the Academy of Fine Arts and the intervention of Victor Hugo himself that the Paris municipality finally voted to preserve the site. I’ll leave you with an excerpt from the letter he wrote to the president : “Mr President, It is inconceivable that Paris, the city of the future, would abandon the living proof that it was once the city of the past. The past shapes the future. These arenas are a relic of a great city. Protect the Lutetia Arena. Protect them at all costs. You’ll be doing a noble deed and, even more importantly, setting a great example. Sincerely yours.”
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