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During a visit
to the Opéra Garnier, you might have the rare opportunity to view the
painted stage curtain raised and open to reveal part of the stage. We
did when we took the guided tour. It is the most affordable way to get
this close (seats in the orchestra for a ballet run as high as 130
euros).
The guided
visit is worth the time to take. You can visit the opera on your own,
but to be able to sit in the plush red velvet seats under the Chagall
ceiling and chandelier, hear anecdotes and explanations, and ask
questions is quite exciting.
We arrived at
11:15 a.m. on a Saturday morning hoping for two things: one, that some
space would be left for the 11:30 a.m. tour, and two, that the curtain
would be raised.
All of the
scenery can either be raised or lowered within the the rectangular stage
portion of the Opéra behind the auditorium. The Arc de Triomphe would
fit in this portion it is so tall and so deep. Our guide related this
and other anecdotes during our visit. Others were about scandals of current performances,
tales of the Phantom of the Opera, how the Chagall ceiling sparked the
interest of the masses to return to view performances, where the
lightening rod is located, etc.
The auditorium
is not always accessible. No one knows when it will be closed.
Performers, whether musicians or dancers may want to practice and the
auditorium will be closed to visitors. The electricians were preparing
for the next performance and allowed the auditorium to remain open
during our visit.
If you choose
the general visit instead of the guided, you will not be allowed to sit in the
orchestra section seats.
Guided visit
The guided
visit consists of a general visit to the theater, its history,
architecture and its different activities. After the visit, you are free
to re-enter and wander at your leisure. The tour lasts about 1 1/2
hours.
In English,
daily at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; weekends at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
(always check for updates during winter months)
Admission:
Adults: 11 euros
Reduced rate:
9 euros for retirees, the unemployed, under 19s, members of school
groups and their accompanying adults & professional lecturers and
students:
When you enter
the main vestibule, turn left. One line is for the unaccompanied visit.
Follow the
sign with the arrow around the corner to the right for the guided visit
and group ticket window.
You will meet
your guide at the first set of stairs on your left in the main
vestibule.
Their
website is a few months out of date, but does provide beautiful
images when you click on the box at the top that says "Visiter le Palais
Garnier".
Unaccompanied Visits
You may visit
the great staircase, the foyers, the auditorium*--limited to one balcony
area, the
museum and the temporary exhibition hall freely every day
from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last admission is 4:30 p.m.)
Closed January 1st, May 1st, and on days when a matinee performance or a
special event is scheduled.
* For artistic or technical reasons, the auditorium
may not always be accessible.
Admission: 7
euros
Reduced rate:
4 euros forretirees, the unemployed, under 19s, members of school groups
and their accompanying adults & professional lecturer and students
Tickets can not be resold, reimbursed or exchanged.
Enter through the main façade at
Place de l'Opéra.
Métro: Opéra, lines 3, 7, 8 - RER: line A, station
Auber
Bus: lines 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, 95
Car park: Place Vendôme
Information :
01 41 10 08 10 (It is a recording.)
Recommended
reading
Palais Garnier,
National Opera of Paris
Éditions du
patrimoine
Code: 782858
226191
Seven euros
(you can buy this at the Opera Garnier giftshop. I found my at the Hotel
Sully bookstore on rue Saint-Antoine (4th).)
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May 2008
