The south of France has been the birthplace of some of the greatest writers in the history of French literature, and Edmond Rostand is one of them. Known for his character Cyrano de Bergerac, this writer, playwright, poet and essayist is closely linked to Provence.
Edmond Rostand in Provence
A love for the South of France
Edmond Rostand was born on 1 April 1868 in Marseille. He grew up in a wealthy family, which owed its wealth to commerce and banking. He studied at the Lycée Thiers, the most famous in Marseille, and won many prizes and awards. He went to Paris in 1884 to continue his studies. The young Edmond was very attached to the south of France. He spent his summers with his family in Bagnères-de-Luchon, a famous spa town in the Pyrenees.
He was often in Paris for his career, but he was very fond of his native region. In 1887, he presented an essay on “two novelists from Provence”, Honoré d’Urfé and Émile Zola, to the Académie de Marseille, and won the Maréchal de Villars prize with this work.
He died on 2 December 1918 in Paris, but he was buried in Marseille in the family vault.
A work of quality, between theatre and poetry
Edmond Rostand was born on 1 April 1868 in Marseille. He grew up in a wealthy family, which owed its wealth to commerce and banking. He studied at the Lycée Thiers, the most famous in Marseille, and won many prizes and awards. He went to Paris in 1884 to continue his studies. The young Edmond was very attached to the south of France. He spent his summers with his family in Bagnères-de-Luchon, a famous spa town in the Pyrenees.
He was often in Paris for his career, but he was very fond of his native region. In 1887, he presented an essay on “two novelists from Provence”, Honoré d’Urfé and Émile Zola, to the Académie de Marseille, and won the Maréchal de Villars prize with this work.
He died on 2 December 1918 in Paris, but he was buried in Marseille in the family vault.
Meeting Edmond Rostand in Marseille
The street where Edmond Rostand was born in Marseille now bears his name. A plaque, number 14, has been installed on his birthplace.
You can also visit the Saint-Pierre cemetery. His grave was completely rehabilitated and restored in 2017.
