Place de l’Horloge Statues
Guarding the 19th-century Opéra Grand Avignon in the lively Place de l’Horloge are the statues of legendary playwrights Molière and Corneille.
The Place de l'Horloge Statues are two large 19th-century stone monuments located at the main entrance of the Opéra Grand Avignon. Situated on the city's main bustling square, they were erected in conjunction with the construction of the neoclassical opera house between 1846 and 1847.
These statues hold deep cultural significance as they represent Avignon's enduring identity as a city of the performing arts. They depict Molière and Corneille, two absolute pillars of French classical theatre, proudly anchoring the city's dedication to drama long before the creation of the modern Festival d'Avignon.
Standing in the lively, cafe-lined Place de l'Horloge, you can clearly see these two imposing figures guarding the theatre. The large, seated stone figures are carved with serious, commanding expressions, creating a dramatic architectural transition from the bustling square into the grand cultural space of the opera.
While the statues and the neoclassical opera house look perfectly planned, they sit on a site with a violent history. The current theatre was only built here because the 14th-century cardinal's livery that previously occupied this exact spot was completely destroyed by a devastating fire.