PALAIS GARNIER:
The Grand Foyer.
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Ceiling by Marc Chagall.
Box 5.
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Illuminated wall.
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Formal opera dress.
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Lighted archway.
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Knowing the tour didn't cover everything we wanted to see, we chose to stay two additional days to visit the places mentioned on this page. If you thought Versailles was over-the-top, get ready for a second mind-blowing experience at the Paris Opera House, Palais Garnier.
Being Phantom of the Opera fans, we had to see Box 5 (pictured above). The updated, modern ceiling by Marc Chagall was bonus!
Surprises await you at every corner - from illuminated sculptured walls and archways, formal opera dress gowns, to the opulent Grand Foyer with its painted ceilings, gold-leafed woodwork and statuary, and stunning crystal chandeliers.
Its hard to imagine being a participant to such formal affairs. Its architecture moves seamlessly from simplicity to ornate - without conflict!
Our visit to Palais Garnier was fast-etched in our memory. Every time we see the "Masquerade" sequence from Phantom of the Opera,
we are transported back in time. A past memory becomes present once again. Who knew a Rick Steve's Tour would have such impact?
Being Phantom of the Opera fans, we had to see Box 5 (pictured above). The updated, modern ceiling by Marc Chagall was bonus!
Surprises await you at every corner - from illuminated sculptured walls and archways, formal opera dress gowns, to the opulent Grand Foyer with its painted ceilings, gold-leafed woodwork and statuary, and stunning crystal chandeliers.
Its hard to imagine being a participant to such formal affairs. Its architecture moves seamlessly from simplicity to ornate - without conflict!
Our visit to Palais Garnier was fast-etched in our memory. Every time we see the "Masquerade" sequence from Phantom of the Opera,
we are transported back in time. A past memory becomes present once again. Who knew a Rick Steve's Tour would have such impact?
PALAIS ROYAL:
The fountain in the Palais Royal Gardens.
Men playing boules/petanque.
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Angelina's in the Tuileries.
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Angelina pastries.
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After a long walk from Palais Garnier, we needed a rest. We chose the Palais Royal Gardens, being just across the street from the Louvre.
It was also real close to Angelina's, the 120 year old patisserie in Paris renowned for its hot chocolate and pastries. We gave it a try!
The last thing we wanted was to stand in a long line - for surely that is what we found upon arrival. We were please to find out:
Angelina's has take-out! We ordered (1) hot chocolate and (2) pastries which we carried to the park with fountain shown above.
Our choices were perfect for an autumn day. The hot chocolate was the best ever, bar none! It was thick, like a milkshake, ONLY HOT!
We shared one pastry and took the second one back to our hotel room to eat later that night. Summed up: the day was JUST AWESOME!
This was the second time we found men playing petanque in the middle of the afternoon. It is the French version of bocce ball,
played with metal balls on a dirt surface. It's more of a tossing game (like horseshoes) rather than bowling. We laughed at the men
as they taunted one another, hoping to distract and mess up the thrower. And yet, at the same time, they displayed such seriousness
as they eyed the flatness of the surface and the location of the opponents' balls before making a toss. It was an enjoyable break!
It was also real close to Angelina's, the 120 year old patisserie in Paris renowned for its hot chocolate and pastries. We gave it a try!
The last thing we wanted was to stand in a long line - for surely that is what we found upon arrival. We were please to find out:
Angelina's has take-out! We ordered (1) hot chocolate and (2) pastries which we carried to the park with fountain shown above.
Our choices were perfect for an autumn day. The hot chocolate was the best ever, bar none! It was thick, like a milkshake, ONLY HOT!
We shared one pastry and took the second one back to our hotel room to eat later that night. Summed up: the day was JUST AWESOME!
This was the second time we found men playing petanque in the middle of the afternoon. It is the French version of bocce ball,
played with metal balls on a dirt surface. It's more of a tossing game (like horseshoes) rather than bowling. We laughed at the men
as they taunted one another, hoping to distract and mess up the thrower. And yet, at the same time, they displayed such seriousness
as they eyed the flatness of the surface and the location of the opponents' balls before making a toss. It was an enjoyable break!
GALLERIES LAFAYETTE:
Galeries Lafayette famous glass dome.
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Each floor overlooks the center store.
Close-up of the detailed scroll work seen above.
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