Place du Châtelet

The central point of Haussmann’s new Paris was Place du Châtelet. It is at the junction of the north-south and the east-west axes. He moved the fountain, the Fontaine du Palmier which had been built under the first emperor, to its centre and built two new theatres that still face each other today across the square. The Cirque Imperial was inaugurated in 1862 in the presence of the Empress Eugenie. Today the Theatre du Chatelet is run by the City of Paris and presents a wide programme of musical performance. Opposite it is the Theatre de la Ville – Sarah-Bernhardt, originally the Theatre Lyrique, and today a renowned contemporary dance performance space. The two buildings were designed by Gabriel Davioud at Haussmann’s request and were built in just two years between 1860 and 1862.