Page 221 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

OPER A QU AR TER  219

3 Les Grands stone, marble and bronze) and
Boulevards styles, ranging from Classical to
Baroque, with a number of
75002 & 75009. Map 6 D5–7 C5.
q Madeleine, Opéra, Richelieu- columns, friezes and sculptures
Drouot, Grands Boulevards. on the exterior. The building was
not completed until 1875; work
A broad thoroughfare divided was interrup ted by the Prussian
into eight boulevards – War and 1871 uprising.
Madeleine, Capucines, Italiens, In 1858, Count Orsini had
Montmartre, Poissonnière, attempt ed to assassinate the
Bonne Nouvelle, St-Denis emperor outside the old opera
and St-Martin – runs from La house. This prompted Garnier to
Madeleine to the Place de include a pavilion on the east side
la République. The route was of the building, with a curved
constructed in the 17th century ramp leading up to it so that the
to turn obsolete city fortifications sovereign could safely step out
into fashionable promenades – Boulevard de la Madeleine of his carriage into the suite of
boulevard came from the rooms adjoining the royal box.
Middle Dutch bulwerc, which Grands Boulevards and the Behind the flat-topped foyer,
means bulwark or rampart. nearby department stores on the cupola sits above the
The boulevards became so Boulevard Haussmann still auditorium, while the triangular
famous in the 19th century attract large crowds. pediment that rises up behind
that the name boulevardier the cupola marks the front of
was coined for someone who 4 Opéra National the stage. Underneath the
cuts a figure on the boulevards. building is a small lake, which
Around the Madeleine church de Paris Garnier provided inspiration for the
and the Opéra, it is still possible Pl de l’Opéra 75009. Map 6 D4–E4. phantom’s hiding place in Paul
to gain an impression of what Tel 08 92 89 90 90. q Opéra. Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera,
the Grands Boulevards looked Open 10am–4:30pm daily (1pm on and is used by firemen for water
like in their heyday, lined with matinée days); mid-Jul–late Aug: rescue safety training.
cafés and chic shops. Elsewhere, 10am–5:30pm. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May. Don’t miss the magnificent
most of the cafés and restaurants & 8 in English 11am & 2:30pm Grand Staircase, made of white
have long since gone, and the daily; 5pm tour on Sat must be marble with a balustrade of red
old façades are now hidden by booked, online or on 0825 05 44 05. and green marble, and the
neon advertising. However, the 0 See Entertain ment pp337, 339. Grand Foyer, with its domed
∑ operadeparis.fr ceiling covered with mosaics.
Statue by Millet The five-tiered auditorium is a
Green copper Sometimes compared to a giant riot of red velvet, plaster cherubs
roofed cupola wedding cake, this build ing was and gold leaf. The false ceiling was
designed by Charles Garnier painted by Marc Chagall in 1964.
for Napoleon III; con struction Most operas are performed
started in 1862. Its unique at the Opéra Nationale de Paris
appearance is due to a mix- Bastille (see p102), but the ballet
ture of materials (including remains here.
Emperor’s pavilion Grand Foyer with
mosaic ceiling

Auditorium with seating for about 2,000 Grand Staircase

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