Page 222 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

220  P ARIS AREA B Y AREA

8 Musée Grévin
10 Blvd Montmartre 75009. Map 6 F4.
Tel 01 47 70 85 05. q Grands
Boulevards. Open 9am–7pm daily
(times can vary, call ahead to check).
7 - & = ∑ grevin.com
This waxwork museum was
founded in 1882 and is now
a Paris landmark, on a par
with Madame Tussauds in
London. It contains tableaux
of vivid historical scenes
(such as Louis XIV at Versailles
and the arrest of Louis XVI),
Model of a set for Les Huguenots (1875) in the Musée de l’Opéra the Palais des Mirages (a
giant walk­in kaleidoscope)
5 Bibliothèque- visitors can listen to it in English and the Cabinet Fantastique,
Musée de l’Opéra via headphones. A 3­D model which includes regular
of the city allows you to pin­ conjuring shows given by
Palais Garnier, corner of Rue Scribe point and learn about various a live magician. Famous figures
& Rue Auber, Pl de l’Opéra 75009. monuments with a description from the worlds of art, sport
Map 6 E5. Tel 01 53 79 37 40. of the 156 most important and and politics are also on show,
q Opéra. Open 10am–5pm Mon–
Sat. Closed 1 week in Sep, public hols. interesting sites. Plasma screens with new celebrities replacing
& 8 = show a sequence shot by the faded and forgotten stars.
Lumière Brothers in 1898.
The way into this small,
charming museum was once
the emperor’s private entrance 7 Drouot (Hôtel
to the Opéra. The museum tells des Ventes)
the history of opera and ballet
through an impressive 9 Rue Drouot 75009. Map 6 F4.
collection of scores, manu­ Tel 01 48 00 20 20. q Richelieu
scripts, photo graphs and artists’ Drouot. Open 11am–6pm Mon–Fri
(to 9pm Thu), sales from 2pm.
memorabilia. Other exhibits Also open some Sat & Sun, call
include paint ings, models of in advance. h ^ 8 =
stage sets and busts of major See Shops and Markets pp328–9.
composers. There is also a ∑ drouot.com
superb library, containing Le Grand Rex Art Deco tower
books and manu scripts on This is the leading French
theatre, dance and music. auction house (Hôtel des 9 Le Grand Rex
The museum organizes two Ventes) and it takes its name 1 Blvd Poissonnière 75002. Map 7 A5.
special exhibitions every year. from the Comte de Drouot Tel 01 45 08 93 89. q Bonne
who was Napoleon’s aide­ Nouvelle. ∑ legrandrex.com
de­camp. There has been an
6 Paris Story auction house on the site since Considered a national
1858, and in 1860, Napoleon III monument, as well as an
11 bis Rue Scribe 75009. Map 6 D4.
Tel 01 42 66 62 06. q Opéra. visited the Hôtel and purchased innovative example of Art
Open 10am–6pm daily; show every a couple of earthen ware pots. Deco architecture, Le Grand
hour. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec. & = 9 It has been known as the Rex, built in 1932, was long
∑ paris-story.com Nouveau Drouot ever since touted as Europe’s most opulent
the 1970s, when the original cinema, hosting many red­
Especially useful for the first­ building was demolished and carpet events. Still one of the
time visitor, this small museum replaced with today’s rather largest of its kind in Europe,
covers everything you need to dull structure. the Grand Rex is a fading
know about the history and Although overshadowed but beautiful symbol of the
architecture of Paris in an internationally by Christie’s history of cinema. The large
hour­long film and interactive and Sotheby’s, auctions at the auditorium has a starred ceiling,
display. The film covers 2,000 Nouveau Drouot nevertheless 2,800 seats and an enormous
years of history from Lutetia provide a lively spectacle and screen, the largest in Paris.
(the Roman name for Paris) involve a fascinating range of Every December, the cinema
to the Paris of today. The show rare objects. Its presence in hosts the Féerie des Eaux, a
is narrated by a holographic the area has attracted many family­film event featuring
figure of Victor Hugo and antiques and stamp shops. an on­stage water show.

220-221_EW_Paris.indd 220 03/04/17 10:57 am