There is a place in Odessa that offers a simply stunning view of the Opera and Ballet Theater. It is a square that, in the French manner, is called “Palais-Royal.” And like many other places popular with Odessites and the city’s guests, the square with this lovely name has its own interesting history.
Two centuries ago, behind the City Theater there was a military ground for holding parade drills, that is, drill training. On ordinary days soldiers marched here, and on holidays city festivities were held.
Later, the parade ground was moved to Sobornaya Square, and near the theater they decided to build Gostiny Dvor - shopping arcades for upscale trade and social entertainment. This square was destined to become a place where affluent townspeople could stroll decorously or shop at leisure, avoiding the noise and bustle of the bazaar.
Gostiny Dvor was given the name “Palais-Royal,” which translated from French means “Royal Palace” - a kind of allusion to the famous Parisian residence.
Curiously, the Palais-Royal in the French capital was built for Cardinal Richelieu, whose distant relative is Odessa’s governor Duke Richelieu. No, after all, Odessa was not called a little Paris for nothing!
