Silver-Tongued

Despite the flames that had subsequently engulfed it, the Théâtre de l’Odéon had barely changed since Marie Antoinette attended its grand opening seven years before the outbreak of the Revolution. Every time it had risen from its ashes the architects in charge of the project had dusted off the original plans and preserved its austere, classical appearance. Standing at the focal point of the semi-circular place de l’Odéon, its facade was dominated by a series of tall archways fronted by a pillared portico. At each extremity of its temple-like porch was a passageway that flanked the building, providing covered access to the rue de Vaugirard and the leafy calm of the Jardin de Luxembourg.