The city of Paris has two
Operas
: the Opera Garnier is usually used for the
presentations of ballets while the Opera Bastille is in
general used for opera performances and concerts.
Although the Théâtre du Châtelet is not operated by the
Opera National de Paris, it is also currently mainly used
for opera and concerts.
•
The Palais Garnier,
also known as the Opera Garnier was built on the order
of Napoleon III ; a grand landmark designed by Charles
Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style, it is regarded as one
of the architectural masterpieces of its time.
Magnificent brightly colored celling of the
auditorium, painted by Marc Chagall.
•
The Opera Bastille
is a great modern theatre, designed by Carlos Ott; it was
inaugurated in 1989.
Its architecture is marked by the use of transparent
façades and by the use of identical material for both the
interiors and exteriors.
•
The Theatre du Châtelet
opened its doors for the very first time on 19 August 1862,
in the presence of the Empress Eugénie.
It was designed by Gabriel Davioud at the request of the
Baron Haussmann.
The program of the season, for both the Opera Garnier and
Bastille is available on the site of
the Opera National de
Paris.
The program of the season at the Théâtre du Châtelet is
available on its own web site.
Our Clefs d'Or team of concierges gets up-to-date news
every day about the various performances at the opera and
is at your service to offer advice and make your
reservations.
Do not hesitate to contact us by email.
The
Concierge tips
We inform you that an important number of tickets is
reserved first and foremost for the subscribers of the
Opera National de Paris, or for those of the Théâtre du
Châtelet. Nevertheless, we have good contacts and we are
usually able to find the best seats available in the
orchestra section for our guests. Do not hesitate to ask
for your tickets far in advance; tickets at short notice
are harder to find and usually more expensive.
Kindly
be informed that usually, the performances at the
Opera (dance, opera, concerts...) begin at 7:00 PM sharp.
After 7:00 PM, the access of the auditorium is
completely forbidden by the staff of the Opera.
After the beginning of the performance, the
access to the auditorium is possible after the first
intermission.
The dress code at the Opera is rather elegant ; French
people still like to dress up in a smart way when they go
to the Opera.
Links
Théâtres Privés
Association des Galeries Parisiennes
Dinner
For a late dinner after an evening at the Opera, we are
pleased to give you the following suggestions :
Near
the Opera Garnier :
Drouant
This
is Paris as we love it! Chic but free-spirited, refined but
joyful, specialised but universal !
The thrice-starred chef has brilliantly taken over this
illustrious building - home of the Goncourt literary prize
since 1914 - with its cream walls, gold-leaf picture frames
and comfortable lustrous chocolate-colour armchairs.
He has the rare talent of producing a cuisine that is full
of emotion, like childhood memories, serving you classics
with immaculate technique.
16/18, Place Gaillon (2nd)
Le Vaudeville
Reporters
from the French press agencies and weeklies publishing
companies rub shoulders with nearby stockbrokers have made
this Art Deco venue one of their favorite canteens.
The Paris theatrical set is also on familiar ground here. A
well selected cellar and the service, always with a smile,
does the rest.
29, rue Vivienne (2nd)
Near
the Opera Bastille :
Bofinger
There
is no doubt this is one of Paris' prettiest
turn-of-the-century restaurants, not far from La Bastille
and its Opéra House, in a lively, young area. An elliptical
glass ceiling, stained glass windows and warm, wood-paneled
walls set the tone in the main dining room flanked by
smaller side rooms with a more private, cozy feel about
them. It's no wonder people flock here!
5, rue de la Bastille (4th)
Les Grandes Marches
This
contemporary brasserie offers traditional cuisine in a very
inviting setting, that is both private and welcoming,
elegant and warm. The new decor is a combination of
different eras, fashions and materials; there is an immense
zinc topped bar, club sofas and vintage copper lights, a
large hi-tech staircase and last but not least the
"Moumoute Bar" upstairs, where you can enjoy a drink
stretched out in an environment that is totally fur-lined!
6, place de la Bastille (12th)
