My Summer in the City of Light: 2nd Arrondissement: Comédie Française and Passage Choiseul

The 2nd Arrondissement is located on the right bank of the Seine, near the center of the city. It contains many of Paris' passages.

Comédie Française: Tourist Attraction

The Comédie Française is the only state theater in France with its own troupe of actors. Rich with history, like seemingly all of Paris, the theater used to be widely known as the House of Molière, after the playwright most associated with the Comédie Française. Molière's work was well recognized in his time; the playwright had several aristocratic patrons. His work was also, however, highly controversial, and many saw his work as religious hypocrisy. The Comédie Française was originally founded by order of Louis VIX, one of the most famous french royals of all time. Louis, or the "Sun King" is perhaps most famous for his commission of Versailles.

Le Centorial: Architectural Object

This building, Le Centorial, is the headquarters for the Crédit Lyonnais, or LCL, a french bank. This building was in part designed by Gustave Eiffel. Inside the building, there is a double helix staircase inspired by the staircase in the Chateau de Chambord, which we visited on our excursion to Loire valley last month. A double helix staircase appears to be one fluid spiral staircase, but instead consists of two separate staircases which never meet. In 1996, a large portion caught on fire, resulting in devastating damage to two thirds of the building.

Passage Choiseul: Interesting Site

Passage Choiseul was built from 1825-1827. The Passage no longer has its original glass ceilings, but still serves as a small shopping center. Now Passage Choiseul is the longest covered passage in Paris.

Theatre des Bouffes Parisiens is located within Passage Choiseul. The theater has been open since 1855, when it opened offering a "new and original" genre of musical theatre.