The Salle des Caryatides at the Louvre museum was built between 1546 and 1549. It takes its name from the four female figures supporting a formerly accessible balcony. This vast ceremonial room was actually used for balls, hence the balcony where musicians would take place. On the other side of the room stood the royal court, separated from the festive space by columns.
This hall has been the setting for major events such as the exhibition of king Henri IV’s wax funeral effigy in 1610. It’s also within these walls that Molière performed in front of Louis XIV for the first time, on October 24th 1658.
