Palais Garnier


Inaugerated in1875, the "New Opera" was built by Charles Garnier by order of Napoleon III. Today the building continues to be admired by the public.
A small group of us was fortunate in getting tickets to see a ballet here. The only tickets available were 30FF nosebleeders. We snapped up the chance and had the experience of a lifetime. Just being in the building was a dream come true but watching a ballet of that calibre and listening to the heavenly orchestra was a high point of the trip.

These pictures are from a Paris national Opera book I purchased in the gift shop.
Click on some of the pictures for much larger views



The Palais Garnier follows the Italian tradition with its rows of boxes and balconies overlooking the stalls. The srage curtain ia atrompe l'oeil drape held back by a golden cord. The resplendent reds and golds of the auditorium have recently been restored to their former glory

The resplendent reds and golds of the auditorium have recently been restored to their former glory


The grand chandelier in gilt bronze hung with crystals pendants has four hundred light sources arranged in 5 crowns and weighs eight and a half tons. It was restored in1989. From where we were seated it hung at eyelevel. It is humungous!


The Grand Foyer shines magnificently, its ceiling painted by Pul Baudry lit up by the golden columns and chandeliers During intermissions we walked around trying not to noticeably gawk at the walls, floors, ceiling, and staircases. We made our way into theGrand Foyer and tried to soak in the experience of it all. At the end of the performance a few of us dashed downstairs and slipped into one of the private boxes to look at the Chagal ceiling. After the performance we had dinner at the Brasserie Cafe de la Paix.

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