The Comédie-Française, the oldest active theater company in the world, has finished a major renovation of its Richelieu hall, which will reopen on October 15. The project, which cost over 22 million euros, included a new floor, a modernized control room, and energy-efficient upgrades. The renovations took several months and involved reinforcing backstage areas, restoring the honor staircase, and renovating the Pierre Dux foyer. The Richelieu hall, originally built in 1790, will host performances of Victor Hugo's Ruy Blas, directed by Julie Duclos, starting on October 15. During the renovations, the company performed in partner theaters for more than six months. The control room now allows for the simultaneous management of sound and light, a feature that was not previously available. The honor staircase, which was once very dark, now has cleaned walls and a restored glass roof. The Pierre Dux foyer has also been restored, with its ceiling, walls, and gilded details brought back to their original condition. The renovated spaces will now include eight busts of female actors, such as Mademoiselle Dumesnil and Adrienne Lecouvreur, placed alongside those of famous playwrights like Molière, Corneille, and Racine. The energy renovation, which will continue until 2030, includes new windows, blinds, insulation, and a nighttime ventilation system designed to reduce energy use. More than 19 million euros of the renovation budget was provided by the Ministry of Culture, while the remaining two million came from three private patrons. The Comédie-Française, founded in 1680, had previously occupied four different venues before settling in the Richelieu hall in 1799. This latest renovation marks a significant step in preserving the historic space while adapting it for modern performances.