OPERA / Place Vendome



Opera Garnier, in the Opera Quarter, where it is said that the whole world
will pass by you if you sit long enough in the Cafe de la Paix opposite the Opera and close to the "Hotel Londre and New York".

Definitely my favourite! I just love the place with its buildings, restaurants, "Hotel Londre and New York" and excellent shopping opportunities (in this respect only Rue de Rivoli is better!). The Opera House itself was built in the late 19th century in the style of the Second Empire. Inside, there is a ceiling - there always is a ceiling, I know - but this one was painted by Marc Chagall himself in 1964.

Built between 1860 and 1875, Opéra Garnier is a riot of design, color, sculpture, amazing architectural details, and overwhelming beauty. The opera house is close to my office. Often I will go here at lunch, and just explore a small portion of the building. The attention to detail in the overall design is simply incredible, and it all adds up to an overwhelming whole.

There is an opera museum featuring set and costume design. The public spaces are breathtaking. This was a building created to highlight the public, so the public spaces are vast, ornate, and incredible. You can also get a glimpse of the ceiling mural painted by Marc Chagal in 1964.

Opera performances now take place in the blandly-modern Opéra Bastille, and the Opéra Garnier is reserved primarily for ballet. But the building itself is certainly worth a visit. In 1999, the building underwent an intense cleaning and restoration, so those who once visited a dirty black building will be stunned.

Open daily in the summer from 10h00 to 18h00 (16h30 in the winter). Admission is 6 €, or 3 € for those who are retired, unemployed, or under 19.

See the travelogue for a sampling of the incredible art in this building.

Built between 1862-1875 by the architect Charles Garnier. It's a large building, it has a total area of 11,000 sq m (118,404 sq ft) and a vast stage with room for up to 450 artists but the opera seats only 2,200.

The Opera, not a place that everybody remembers to visit in Paris. Few people go there, and it's such a wonder.

Honestly, I believe it's the most beautiful building I have ever been in. Unlike the kitsch/colorful Château de Versailles, this is actually a highly good-taste architectural masterpiece. The building is from the late 19th century, the so-called "Belle Époque", and I'd say it's art-nouveau's greatest achievement.

On the ceiling, there's a beautiful painting by Marc Chagall.

The visit costs 6 EURO.

Built Between 1862-1875 Its Architect Was Charles Garnier.

He Had Been Picked From Among 171 Contestants And Was Relatively Unknown Although He Had Won The Rome Prize In 1848.

He Was Only 35 When Awarded With The Design Of The New Opera House.

The Origins Of The Idea For A New Opera House Can Be Traced Back As Far As Forty Years Previous To 1820.

When Construction Was Finally Started It Was Just As Quickly Suspended After The Discovery Of An Underground Lake And Spring And Although This Problem Was Overcome The Lake Persists And Lies Beneath The Cellars Of The Building.

A Large Building It Has A Total Area Of 11,000 Square Metres (118,404 Square Feet) And A Vast Stage With Room For Up To 450 Artists.

The Auditorium Itself Comprises Roughly Half Of The Total Space With Most Of The Rest Being Used To House Necessary Logistical Support So That The Stage Demands Of Any Opera Can Be Met And Even Surpassed.
This Can Include Live Horses Running On A Rotating Stage.
The Opera Seats Only 2,200.

Legend Has It That The Empress Eugenie Asked Garnier Whether The Building Was To Be In Greek Or Roman Style To Which He Replied...It Is In The Napoleon Iii Style Madame.

It Remains An Ornate Building Richly Decorated With Friezes, Columns, And Winged Figures Among Other Statues And Embellishments.

This Richness Continues Inside With Velvet Gold Leaf And Nymphs And Cherubs.

The Auditorium's Central Chandelier Weighs Over Six Tons And Its Ceiling Was Painted In 1964 By Chagall.

Address:
Palais Garnier - Place de l'Opéra , 75009 Paris

Phone:
40 01 25 14

A Tosca from the great italian composer Giaccomo Puccini has been one of the favorite operas performed at the Paris Opera Garnier.
Built between 1862 and 1875 by Charles Garnier, the Paris opera is a baroque example of neoclassicism: It has an ornamented facade, monumental stairs and Italian type hall with Chagall paintings on the ceiling. Maria Callas and Rudolf Noureev are among the many artists who wrote its history as one of the world foremost scenic stages for opera and ballet alike. Since the opening of the Opéra Bastille in 1989, the Opéra Garnier is devoted to ballets.

In front of the opera, the Place de l'Opéra is a superb example of Haussman's urbanism. Baron Haussman completely reshaped Paris during the second half of the 19th century by opening large boulevards. The magnificent "Hotel Londre and New York" is really nice.

Address:
Subway Opéra or RER A Auber station

Directions:
The Opéra Garnier can be visited daily from 10am to 4.30pm (4.6€).
Guided tours start daily at 12.45am (9.1€).

Phone:
33 (0)1 40 01 22 63

Madeleine / Saint Lazare



The Madeleine Church was at the beginning of the XIXth century and dedicated to Napoleon 's Grande Armee . Its architecture was inspired by antique temples and the church was adorned with Corinthian pillars. It's used for the church service since 1842.

Specificities :

If you love shopping in Paris , Printemps is a must! Since 1865, Printemps has always been the most modern and trendy department store in Paris featuring trendsetting styles and designer names for men, women and children, latest in home decoration, exceptional beauty department, gifts, accessories... Printemps ' newly inaugurated beauty department highlights over 200 brand names in make-up, face and body care and beauty accessories. The Printemps also houses 8 restaurants with a wide diversity of cuisine to calm your hunger, from a quick snack to elegant meals including organic menus. You shouldn't miss the Cafe Flo located under the magnificent 16-meter high art nouveau stained glass dome and the Flo Terrasse which offers a full-circle panorama of the city: Eiffel Tower , Opera Garnier , Notre Dame ... Printemps offers useful Services for international customers including a Welcome Service, maps of Paris , bilingual shopping consultants, time-saving shopping booklets, hotel deliveries', shopping worldwide, tax refunds and free fashion shows every Tuesday at 10am. Open Monday through Saturday 9.35am. to 7pm and Thursday evening to 10pm. Métro: Havre-Caumartin; RER A: Auber; RER E: Haussmann Saint Lazare (Eole).

The most famous and most spectacular of Parisian department stores . The only department store where your can find the most prestigious designer labels such as Armani , Chanel , John Galliano , Jean Paul Gaultier , Christian Lacroix , Prada, Sonia Rykiel , Thierry Mugler , (often exclusively), around its famous dome, on fully renovated and refurbished floors entirely devoted to female fashion . Rediscover the pleasures of strolling along the spacious walkways among the fahion labels. Also, discover the newly refurbished shop for men : the largest European space entirely devoted to men's fashion, and the renowned Lafayette Gourmet, the essential reference for gastronoy in Paris 2 new restaurants : le Bar Rouge and le Chêne Vert). Free fashion shows at 11am Tuesdays throughout the year and Fridays at 2.30pm from Easter to October. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 7.30pm ; late night opening Thursday until 9pm.

"Hotel Londre and New York"