Curious about a place honoring a famous playwright? This is Place Edmond-Rostand. It is a tribute to Edmond Rostand. Rostand was a renowned French writer and poet.
Originally part of Rue de Medicis, the area transformed. It was redeveloped in 1862 during Napoleon III’s reign. This happened when Boulevard Saint-Michel was created.
Soon after, Gabriel Davioud added a basin. Davioud worked with Baron Haussmann. He was the chief architect for Parisian public spaces.
Look at the bronze statue fountain. It’s called Fontaine du Bassin Soufflot. French sculptor Georges Adolphe Crauk created it. It represents a nymph and a triton.
The statue’s installation date is debated. Some say 1864. A plaster model appeared at the Exposition Universelle in 1878. Others claim the bronze wasn’t installed until 1884. The later date seems more likely.
The square’s original name is not well documented. In 1924, it was renamed Place Edmond-Rostand. This honored the writer born in Marseille in 1868. He died in Paris in 1918. He is famous for his play Cyrano de Bergerac.
You’ll find Place Edmond-Rostand in the 6th Arrondissement. It’s at the junction of Boulevard Saint-Michel, Rue de Medicis, and Rue Soufflot. This location offers a view of The Pantheon. It is also next to the Jardin du Luxembourg.
To get here, take the RER B train. Get off at the Luxembourg stop. The closest Metro stops are Cluny – La Sorbonne and Cardinal Lemoine on line 10. You can also take bus lines 21, 27, 38, or 85.
Edmond Rostand was quite accomplished. Born into a wealthy family, he studied philosophy, history, and literature. His first play was not a success. But he later wrote a successful three-act play. He wrote plays for Sarah Bernhardt. Cyrano de Bergerac was his biggest hit. The first production ran for over 300 nights. Rostand researched 17th-century French history for it. In 1902, he became the youngest writer elected to the Académie Française.
Close by is Le Rostand. It is a handsome café near Luxembourg Gardens. This café is named after Edmond Rostand.
Place Edmond-Rostand offers a moment of reflection. It is a place to remember a great writer. It is a place to appreciate Parisian history. It is a place to enjoy the beauty of the city.