Rond-Point du Prieuré

“A swirling vortex of time,” I mused, “right here at the Rond-Point du Prieuré.” The Rond-Point du Prieuré. It may seem like just another intersection in Gournay-sur-Marne today. But imagine this spot in the heart of 19th-century Paris. The Rond-Point du Prieuré wasn’t always a traffic circle. Originally, it was the site of a magnificent rotunda designed by the architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff in 1838. This rotunda, part of the Champs-Élysées, was a precursor to the later Théâtre du Rond-Point. This very spot was intended for entertainment and spectacle. Think of the Parisians of 1839, flocking to the newly inaugurated structure to marvel at the panoramic paintings displayed within. Imagine huge canvases depicting scenes like “The Fires of Moscow”. It was a truly immersive experience, a 19th-century version of virtual reality. Sadly, Hittorff’s rotunda met its demise after the Universal Exposition of 1855. A new panorama, the Panorama National, designed by Gabriel Davioud, rose in its place at the corner of what is now Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Champs-Élysées. The Rond-Point du Prieuré was reborn. This new structure continued the tradition of visual storytelling, exhibiting panoramic paintings such as “The Taking of Sevastopol” and “The Battle of Solferino.” The spirit of innovation lived on. In 1893, the rotunda was transformed once more, this time into the Palais de Glace, the Ice Palace. Imagine twirling figures on the ice, the laughter of children, and the strains of a 50-piece orchestra. This glamorous ice rink became a beloved Parisian attraction during the Belle Époque. Jean Cocteau, in his “Portraits-Souvenir,” described it as a “monumental mint pastille”. He depicted the scene: skaters gliding gracefully, then suddenly stopping with a flourish near the edge. He captured the excited gasps of the onlookers. The Palais de Glace thrived for decades. It finally closed its doors in the late 1970s. While the ice palace is no more, the Théâtre du Rond-Point carries on the legacy of artistic expression. The Rond-Point du Prieuré has witnessed a remarkable evolution. From panorama to ice palace to theater, it has always been a place of transformation and entertainment. So, as you stand here at the Rond-Point du Prieuré, remember the layers of history beneath your feet.