Opening of the crossing 1791 (≈ 1791)
Creation of the Molière passage and theatre.
1807
Closing of the theatre
Closing of the theatre 1807 (≈ 1807)
Imperial decree limiting Parisian theatres.
12 avril 1974
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 12 avril 1974 (≈ 1974)
Protection of the facades and the room.
2017-2022
Major renovation
Major renovation 2017-2022 (≈ 2020)
Transformation into housing and shops.
juillet 2024
Closing of the Café de la poésie
Closing of the Café de la poésie juillet 2024 (≈ 2024)
Business economic difficulties.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façade and roof on street, as well as the old theater on the ground floor and its access corridor with its inscriptions of 82 rue Quincampoix. Façades and roofs of the Molière Pass (depending on buildings number 157, 159, 161 rue Saint-Martin and 82 rue Quincampoix) including facades and roofs on the passageway and the ground of the passageway. Façade and roof on rue des 157, 159, 161 rue Saint-Martin and inside staircase of 161: inscription by order of 12 April 1974
Key figures
Jean-François Boursault-Malherbe - Actor and founder of the theatre
Built the Molière theatre in 1791.
Molière - Comedian and playwright
Inspiration of the name of the theatre.
Origin and history
The Molière Pass is a pedestrian road located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, connecting Rue Saint-Martin to Rue Quincampoix. Oriented east-west, it crosses a block of buildings and is distinguished by its paved floor slightly sloping, forming a central stream. Its building numbers follow an unusual progression, in the opposite direction of the clock needles from the east entrance. This passage, opened around 1791, has been included in historical monuments since 1984.
The name of the passage pays tribute to the former Molière theatre, built in 1791 by actor Jean-François Boursault-Malherbe. This theatre, renowned for its luxury and international repertoire (English, German and Spanish plays), was forced to close in 1807 because of an imperial decree limiting the number of Parisian theatres. In the 19th century, the hall was transformed into a ballroom. The passage also bore the names of "pass of the Sans-Culottes" during the Revolution and "pass of the Nourrices".
Property of the social landlord Paris Habitat, the Molière Pass underwent a major renovation between 2017 and 2022 to become an attractive place, combining 34 social housing units and 9 shops, including the Maison de la Poetie. Despite these efforts, some businesses, such as the Café de la Poetage (closed in July 2024), have encountered difficulties. The Molière Theatre, today Maison de la poésie, remains an emblematic cultural place at the corner of Rue Saint-Martin.
The protected elements of the passage include facades, roofs, and the old theatre at 82 Quincampoix Street, as well as the paved floor of the passage. These protections were formalized by an order of 12 April 1974. The passage, although public, retains an intimate character with its entrance porches and lack of cover, except at the ends.
The surrounding area, like that of the Clock located on the other side of Rue Saint-Martin, benefits from the proximity of metro stations such as Rambuteau (line 11) and Étienne Marcel (line 4). This infrastructure facilitates access to this historic site, marked by its cultural and architectural heritage.
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