I had July 3 marked on my calendar for a couple of months to buy tickets for ballet at Opera Garnier, hoping to see La Dame Aux Camelias in September with my family.

Then I dithered and didn't go online to buy them until yesterday: all gone, the entire run of the ballet. Does this mean on Internet only, and there may be some tickets reserved to sell in person at the box office? Or are we out of luck?

YOu are probably out of luck as far as finding anything at the box office.

Most theatres will hold back a few seats even when they say they are "sold out" and this includes venues in the US as well as in Europe. This is often done in case some last minute VIP shows up or management is asked to provide seats for same at the last minute.

Unfortunately, these house seats are often not made available for sale until the day of the performance.

Sometimes ticket brokers will have unsold seats for a performance that is "sold out" as well.

If you are that interested in a peformance it might be worthwhile to check possible broker outlets and with the box office itself on the day of the performance or when you get to Paris.

HowardR and Dukey, thanks very much. Will check it out on arrival to Paris.

My previous posting, unfortunately, was based on actual experience. I hope you have better luck than we did!

In 2002 we were able to get tickets for a "sold out" performance at the Opera Garnier by queuing up on the day of the performance.

We saw the ballet of La Dame Aux Camelias at the Garnier last Saturday, and if I'm not mistaken it was the final performance before the opera house closes for a couple of months.

Incidentally we loved it. Our seats were in the amphitheatre -- fourth row from the back, and very uncomfortable and tight, but we loved the performance anyway.

As noted before we met fellow Fodorites who sat right next to us (we had discussed this online here when we both booked months ago).

But I'm confused about no tickets. I just went on line, entered my name and ID number and found seats available for performances in September. Did you register yet and get at ID number?

Aha! Neopolitan. I didn't register at all. Maybe that's the problem. Will try again. Thanks, all.

I don't know what I did wrong before. There are higher priced seats left, but disappearing by the minute.