“A riding hall turned revolutionary hub?” you might ask, gazing at the remnants of the Bâtiments du Manège. Indeed, this unassuming spot in Paris hosted France’s tumultuous journey through revolution. The Bâtiments du Manège, originally the royal equestrian academy, became the unlikely stage for the National Assembly in 1789. They relocated from Versailles, following King Louis XVI to the Tuileries Palace. The Assembly, now at the Bâtiments du Manège, nationalized Church properties. They expanded into nearby convents for more space, including the Feuillants convent, whose library housed the Assembly’s archives. The Bâtiments du Manège’s unique layout, ten times longer than it was wide, made for poor acoustics during debates. Yet, within these echoing walls, France’s future was shaped. Deputies sat according to their political affiliations, establishing the left-right political spectrum we know today. Conservatives, like the Monarchiens, gathered on the right. Radicals, like the Jacobins, occupied the left. The central tribune, intended for orators, became a platform for fiery speeches that fueled the revolution. The public watched from the ends of the hall and the upper loges, witnessing history unfold. In 1795, the Council of 500 met at the Bâtiments du Manège under the French Directory. Even the Jacobin Club du Manège held its headquarters here in 1799, further cementing this building’s significance in the revolutionary narrative. Sadly, the Bâtiments du Manège met its end in 1804. It was demolished to make way for the Rue de Rivoli. Only its legacy remains, a silent testament to the passionate debates and historic decisions that once echoed within its walls.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to