Day 8 - July 18: L'Opera Garnier

Just a little mirror self-portrait before we head out for the day!

We bought tickets for a tour of L'Opera Garnier, built in the 1800's and the opera house upon which Leroux based Phantom of the Opera.  It actually does have some tunnels and water under its foundation, but not to the extent in the story.  This is a small model from the viewpoint of the stage.

Can you see the letters and dates in there?  Charles Garnier 1861-1875 - the architect and years it was under construction.

He designed the foyer to have many of the same features as the theater, so you can notice the little 'boxes' where people could loiter to see and be seen (which was why anyone went to the Opera in those days)!

This ceiling was painted by Marc Chagall in the 1960's.  The original lies underneath and at any time can be revealed simply by removing Chagall's 21 canvas pieces. 

The famous chandelier.  It had been lowered the day of our tour to replace the bulbs, a process which takes up to 5 hours since there are so many bulbs.  This chandelier never dropped (like in Phantom), though many other spooky things reportedly happened in the opera house throughout the years. 

This is box number 5, the one haunted by the Phantom.

Getting fancy with camera settings.  Loved the beautiful seats.

 This is the main hall.  Many parts of it are gilded with gold.  You see the fireplace mantle in the distance?  It was understood that if you were standing behind it having a conversation with someone else, that you were not to be interrupted (or overheard).

 Another mirror self-portrait.  

A view from the balcony outside the main hall.  Place d'Opera.