Jules CLARETIE
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Writer and general administrator of the Comédie-Française.
Jules Claretie had chosen his own first name and entered the press young, at Le Figaro and then Le Temps. A novelist, historian and playwright, he also wrote the libretto for an opera by Massenet. Appointed general administrator of the Comédie-Française in 1885, he stayed twenty-eight years and brought in authors then judged daring. The engraving calls him administrator of the Académie française, which he never was.
The story
Born at Limoges in 1840, Arsène Arnaud Claretie — Jules was the first name he chose for himself — went early into the press: Le Figaro, Le Temps, L'Opinion nationale. He remained a columnist as much as an author all his life.
Novelist, historian and playwright, he wrote for music as well: the libretto of La Navarraise, Massenet's opera first staged in 1894.
In 1885 he was appointed general administrator of the Comédie-Française, the national theatre, and stayed twenty-eight years, until his death. He brought in authors then thought daring — Mirbeau, Hervieu, Bataille.
Elected to the Académie française on 26 January 1888 and made a commander of the Legion of Honour on 31 December 1895, he had married a daughter of the industrialist Charles Risler.
He died on 23 December 1913 and rests in Division 4, avenue Principale, first row, with his son Georges Clarétie (1875-1936), barrister and man of letters. The inscription calls him “administrateur général de l'Académie Française”: the engraver mixed up his two houses.
The grave
A bronze medallion by the sculptor Louis Patriarche (1872-1955), undated, on a family grave that lines up six names. The writer's carries a delicious error: “Jules CLARETIE, of the Académie française, 1840-1913, general administrator of the Académie Française” — he was an academician, but general administrator of the Comédie-Française. His son Georges Clarétie (1875-1936) and four other Clareties also rest there.
On site, do not miss
Read the engraved title: “general administrator of the Académie Française”. He was administrator of the Comédie-Française. Then look for the bronze medallion, signed Louis Patriarche and never dated.
Visitors' questions
Where is Jules Claretie's grave?
In Division 4, avenue Principale, first row, beneath a bronze medallion by the sculptor Louis Patriarche. The grave is a family one: his son Georges Clarétie (1875-1936), a barrister and man of letters, rests there with him.
Charles ChristofleHow long did he run the Comédie-Française?
Twenty-eight years, from 1885 until his death in 1913: one of the longest terms as the institution's administrator general. He brought in Mirbeau, Hervieu and Bataille, authors the house of Molière then considered daring.
Eugène ScribeIs there a mistake on his grave?
Yes, and a fine one: the inscription calls him “administrateur général de l'Académie Française”. He was indeed an Academician, elected in 1888, but administrator of the Comédie-Française. The engraver mixed the two titles up.
Sully PrudhommeDid Jules Claretie write for music?
Yes, he wrote the libretto of La Navarraise, Jules Massenet's opera, first performed in 1894. A columnist for Le Figaro and Le Temps, novelist, historian and playwright, he never chose between the genres — and ran the Comédie-Française at the same time.
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