24 moments

1. Baptism at Saint-Eustache

   1622-01-15 · Saint-Eustache, Paris, France

   Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, later known as Molière, was baptized at the parish church of Saint-Eustache in Paris. This is a baptism date, not a documented birth date.

2. Illustre Théâtre visit to Rouen

   1643-10-01 · Rouen, Normandy, France

   

   During the Illustre Théâtre's first year, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin was in Rouen, where he met Pierre and Thomas Corneille.

3. Opening of the Jeu de Paume des Métayers

   1644-01-01 · Jeu de Paume des Métayers, 13 rue de Seine, Paris, France

   

   Molière's Illustre Théâtre returned to Paris and opened in the Jeu de Paume des Métayers, an early base for his theatrical career. Coordinates identify the documented rue de Seine site; the seventeenth-century theatre no longer survives.

4. Performance at Nantes

   1648-01-01 · Nantes, Brittany, France

   

   Molière performed in Nantes as a member of Charles Dufresne's troupe during the provincial touring years.

5. Provincial tour at Agen

   1650-01-01 · Agen, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

   

   Molière was in Agen during the troupe's provincial circuit. The source supports the year, but not a more precise date within it.

6. Provincial tour at Narbonne

   1650-01-01 · Narbonne, Occitanie, France

   

   Molière was documented at Narbonne during the touring circuit that developed his company before its return to Paris. The source supports the year, but not a more precise date within it.

7. Provincial tour at Pézenas

   1650-01-01 · Pézenas, Occitanie, France

   

   Molière was in Pézenas, a recurrent and important stop in his Languedoc touring years. The source supports the year, but not a more precise date within it.

8. Private business in Paris

   1651-01-01 · Paris, France

   

   Molière returned to Paris for private business while his provincial theatrical career continued. The source does not identify a specific Paris address.

9. Touring presence at Grenoble

   1652-01-01 · Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

   

   Molière and members of the Béjart family were in Grenoble during the provincial touring period. The source does not provide an exact venue or sequence between Grenoble and Lyon.

10. Touring presence at Lyon

    1652-01-01 · Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

    

    Molière and the Béjarts were in Lyon during the provincial tour; Lyon became a particularly significant theatrical center for him. The source does not provide an exact venue or sequence between Grenoble and Lyon.

11. Estates of Languedoc at Pézenas

    1656-01-01 · Pézenas, Occitanie, France

    

    Molière was at Pézenas for the closing of the Estates of Languedoc, a setting connected with his troupe's regional patronage. The source supports the year only.

12. Meeting the Mignard brothers in Avignon

    1657-01-01 · Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

    

    Molière was in Avignon, where he met the painters Pierre and Nicolas Mignard. The source supports the year, but not a more precise date.

13. Return to Rouen

    1658-01-01 · Jeu de Paume des Braques, Rouen, Normandy, France

    

    At Rouen's Jeu de Paume des Braques, Molière renewed acquaintance with the Corneille brothers before securing a Paris breakthrough. Coordinates represent central Rouen because the historical jeu de paume site is not precisely established here.

14. Command performance before Louis XIV

    1658-10-24 · Salle des Gardes, Vieux Louvre, Paris, France

    

    Molière and his troupe performed Corneille's Nicomède and Molière's Le Docteur amoureux before the king and court, marking his decisive return to Paris. Coordinates represent the Louvre complex at the historical Salle des Gardes.

15. Opening at the Palais-Royal

    1661-02-04 · Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, France

    

    Following the troupe's move to the Palais-Royal theatre, Molière performed Dom Garcie de Navarre there. The seventeenth-century theatre stood in the Palais-Royal complex; the coordinate is a representative point for that historic site.

16. L'Impromptu de Versailles

    1663-10-14 · Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France

    

    Molière created L'Impromptu de Versailles within the royal residence, a play that stages him directing a rehearsal intended for the king. Coordinates represent the Palace of Versailles complex.

17. Plaisirs de l'Île enchantée

    1664-05-01 · Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France

    

    Molière participated in the royal festivities at Versailles and supplied theatrical components including Le Mariage forcé, La Princesse d'Élide, and Tartuffe. The source dates the festival to 7–13 May; this card uses month precision because it covers Molière's participation across the event.

18. George Dandin at Versailles

    1668-07-18 · Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France

    

    Molière performed the title role in the premiere of George Dandin during the Grand Royal Entertainment at Versailles. The performance took place in a temporary court theatre at Versailles; coordinates represent the palace complex.

19. Royal entertainment at Saint-Germain-en-Laye

    1670-01-01 · Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

    

    Molière directed the royal entertainment Les Amants magnifiques at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with music by Lully. The source supports the year but not a more precise performance date.

20. Premiere of Le Bourgeois gentilhomme

    1670-10-14 · Château de Chambord, Chambord, France

    

    Molière's new comédie-ballet Le Bourgeois gentilhomme premiered at Chambord before Louis XIV's court. The source identifies the event as the premiere at Chambord; its wording does not explicitly state Molière's acting role at this performance.

21. Psyché at the Palais-Royal

    1671-01-01 · Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, France

    

    After the court performances of Psyché, Molière continued presenting the work at his regular Paris theatre, the Palais-Royal. The source places the continuing Palais-Royal run in the period after the 17 January 1671 court premiere; only year precision is used.

22. Move to rue de Richelieu

    1672-01-01 · Rue de Richelieu, Paris, France

    

    Molière moved to rue de Richelieu in Paris during the final year of his life. The chronology does not give a street number; coordinates are a representative point on rue de Richelieu.

23. Death in Paris

    1673-02-17 · Paris, France

    

    After collapsing during his final performance, Molière was taken home and died a few hours later in Paris. The exact house is not established by this source; Paris coordinates are therefore used.

24. Final performance of Le Malade imaginaire

    1673-02-17 · Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, France

    

    During the fourth performance of Le Malade imaginaire, Molière became ill onstage at the Palais-Royal; he died later that evening at home. The play premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal; the historic theatre's coordinate is represented by the Palais-Royal complex.