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Origin and history

The convent of the Théatins, known as the Sainte-Anne-la-Royale convent, was the only establishment of this order in France. Founded in the 17th century thanks to Cardinal Mazarin, who bought a quai Malaquais house (current Quai Voltaire) in 1642, it was officially authorized in 1648. Louis XIV himself blessed the chapel by placing a cross on his portal. Mazarin bequeathed £300,000 to build a larger church, but the ambitious project of the architect Guarino Guarini, marked by a bold dome and undulating facade, was abandoned in 1666 due to lack of funds and conflicts.

The church was finally completed in 1720 by Nicolas Liévain, after a reorientation of the plan and a reduction of initial ambitions. The Theatins also built covered passages under report buildings, whose facades were designed by Pierre Desmaisons (1746 for the Quai Voltaire, 1754 for the rue de Lille). These accesses masked private housing while imitating religious portals. The convent, which was abolished in 1790, became a national property and was demolished in 1822, leaving room for modern buildings.

Today, there remain two major remains: the monumental gate of 26 rue de Lille, inscribed in the historical monuments in 1928, and part of the eastern façade of the church, visible in the courtyard of 13 Quai Voltaire. These elements bear witness to the religious architecture of the eighteenth century and the ingenuity of the Theatines to integrate their convent into the Parisian urban fabric. The 30 rue de Lille, a rental building built by the order, is also protected.

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