A Day at the Opera

Last year we made an attempt to see the Palais Garnier.  I was so overwhelmed by the crowds (ochlophobia) and the hustle and bustle of the Place du Opera that I had to 'escape'.  When planning this trip, I did my research~found exactly where to buy the tickets, which entrance to use and a different way to approach the Opera.
The opera was commissioned by Napoleon III, the architect chosen was Charles Garnier.  It took 15 years to complete and was inaugurated in 1875.

Below is a photo showing the Opera around 1900.

The Opera is one of the most iconic sites in the world as it was the subject of

 Gaston Leroux's 1911 novel "The Phantom of the Opera".

The large statue of Charles Garnier in front of the entrance.

From the ground floor entrance, you climb to the lobby level.

From the landing, the upper levels are accessible via the Grand Staircase.

The Grand Staircase.

This is first landing on the staircase and the entry to the orchestra seats.

Going up another level....

The walk around the first floor gives a perfect view of the staircase. Everything is so spacious~ to accommodate many patrons with elegant 19th century ballgowns, I suppose.

From this 1st floor level we'll enter the auditorium.

  Below is a model of the opera auditorium~you can see the layout of the entire room.

We enter into a balcony box to view the Opera auditorium.

Your cloak Monsieur?

The stage is large enough to hold 450 performers.

Looking to the right.

then the left.

The magnificent, 6 ton chandelier.

The ceiling painting was done by Marc Chagall in 1964 and was quite controversial.  Many felt that his style clashed with Belle Epoche style of the Palais.

  We continued along the first floor~these elevators and stairways were the access

 to the upper balconies.

   The marble of the columns and the floors were different colors and designs. 

The ironwork was delicate and elegant.

Stairs lead to the upper floors.

Then the piece de resistance.....The Grand Foyer.

The Grand Foyer is opulent and takes your breath away!

  There are large fireplaces at both ends of the room

The Grand Foyer

Fireplace at the end of the room.

Mantelpiece of the fireplace.

The whole time we were in this room, I tried to imagine myself being here

 on the night of an opera; quite a place to be during "intermission".

There were other small intimate rooms along the halls of the central atrium.

I mentioned the floor designs and how they are different throughout the building.

The Opera definitely stirs the emotions, it is a visual cocktail.  At every turn there is something beautiful and astonishing.  The Palais Garnier does not house the Paris Opera any longer, performances are now at the Opera Bastille. It is the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet.

This was a fabulous self-guided tour.  Guided tours are available at specified times and days.

  The Palais Garnier is a "must-see" when visiting Paris.