Ballet and Opera in Paris
One of the places that most people know of, but seldom visit in Paris is the Palais Garnier. People seem to be too busy rushing off to Galleries Lafayette or Printemps to shop, than to pause and see this gem of a building.
You will have especially seen the Phantom of the Opera in the musical drama of the same name as he appears on the grand staircase. So next time you go to Paris make a visit (small charge), and even better see if there are any seats available for a production during your stay.
I have some clients who were wanting to go to the Opera at the end of May, so I asked my darling daughter Sarah Reese, who is living in Paris, to go there to buy the tickets for this couple, as they were unable to buy them online.
So off Sarah went to buy opera tickets. As anyone knows queues are part of daily life, but for her she stood patiently in the line for 5 and a half hours. FIVE HOURS!! Were there any tickets left?? She managed to buy for my travelers two standing only tickets for 10 Euros each!! After all this she is confused and asked “Why didn’t I buy two more tickets for me and my French Beau?”.
I wonder if there’s anyway to get these tickets online, before arriving in Paris? 10 euros??? I can’t believe how cheap it is. Maybe that’s why you have to wait in line for 5 hours? Not sure I’m willing to do that, but I do want to go to the Opera. This summer will be my 20th trip to Paris and I’ve NEVER been there. I love your blog, by the way.
Yes, the only way you will be able to get tickets like this is to queue. Don’t worry I have done this and not had any queue. For my daughter waiting five hours, this was because once a month they open up the bookings, and distribute any un-sold seats, so worth checking it out when you are there. Another thought is that you should try and take the kids to maybe the Ste Chapelle where in the early evening they often hold concerts for about 10 Euros. I took a group of teenagers here recently, and for them it was the highlight of their trip, in the surroundings of one of the most beautiful buildings in the world! If not there, the church St Severin on Rue St Jacques often holds concerts, and being here is also a beautiful experience. Good luck! John.
What a wonderful ” jewel” in the crown the
Palais Garnier Opera is. On our first ever visit to Paris
in 1998, we were not able to see an opera, or ballet,
but we spent a long time, looking at all the beautiful
art work, and statues, and at that time, they had the
entry to the beautiful stair case open, so we were able
to enjoy the beauty – Its certainly a place of great design
and grace. On our last visit, we did make it back to the
grand square that surrounds it, but it was closed, so
hopefully in July, when we are to visit Paris again, we will
re-visit the wonders of the ” Palais Garnier Opera”
Of course, on our other holidays, we have seen many beautiful and magical things, both in Paris, and the other parts of France that we have visited.
Just mentioning the Ste Chapelle we waited for 2 hours
in the queue to get into see the wonder of this magnificent place, and I saw while waiting a sign that advertised concerts on a Sunday evening. I said to Vic, my husband, What a pity we are leaving to go back to NZ, and you know
miracles do happen, that was Sept. 2008, and now in June 2010, we are actually going to a Concert in the Ste Chapelle – on a tour with John – Can’t wait – I just know that it will be so uplifting – can’t wait to experience it.
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