guaranteed

If you go to the Opera Garnier website (google it) you can easily book performances. They only do Ballet, and I am not a Ballet fan, although my wife is.

But for 20 Euros each, we got front row centre amphitheatre seats on July 15. Don't ask me who is performing because I don't know or care.

20 Euros to watch a Ballet at the Opera Garnier strikes me as an incredible deal. I don't know about the Ballet part, but to be able to park myself into a seat and soak up the atmosphere and architecture is absolutely fantastic.

I know my wife will go nuts. She doesn't know about it yet. But she will, because the Opera Grenier actually will mail tickets to North America, and I had them addressed to her.





Guaranteed

Cameron

You are a GOOD husband!

grandmere

There is always a range of ticket prices for the performances. The Garnier occasionally does opera, also, such as in April when The Marriage of Figaro is being performed.

Enjoy the ballet; I've bought tickets twice at www.operadeparis.fr and have never been to a performance yet; both times trips were cancelled. It will happen.

Neopolitan

Very interesting, guaranteed. We may just join you that night. Lady of the Camellias is the ballet.
But how do you know you get front row amphitheatre? I went that far and it tells me two seat numbers in the category 4, but those could be the very last row of the top level if in the center? I can't find a seating chart except for that very generic drawing they do.
In any case you'll be close to the Chagal ceiling!

Lesli

I've attended two performances there; it's magical!

I love the ballet. But even if you don't, you can appreciate the building, as you said. Also the costumes and sets, which are truly fabulous. The orchestra is also world class. As is the people-watching!

And who knows? This performance could instill in you a new appreciation for the ballet. The athletic skill and grace of the dancers is impressive, completely aside from the artistic expression.

You are a thoughtful husband, indeed. Your wife will be thrilled.

guaranteed

Neopolitan,

You can get a view of the seats before you buy.
And they looked close to centre.
The seats I got were 112 and 114
So I assume they are first row?
You are correct, you can't get a seating plan. But for 20 Euro's, who cares?

Neopolitan

Well, I guess we'll find out, won't we? Hope you'll shake hands with the people sitting in seats 108 and 110, right next to you that night! LOL

Thanks for the tip, I hadn't gotten around to booking anything for Paris yet, and we arrive two days before that -- I see we're seeing the very final night before the summer closing.

cigalechanta

What a guy!!! I'd love to see your wife's face when she opens that envelope.

Christina

Seats 112 and 114 do not necessarily mean they are first row at Garnier. They have odd seating numbers in tha theater and it's not like most theatre's conventions. They could be the very last row. For example, in the front orchestra section, the seats are just numbered sequentially row after row (seats 1-29 are the first row, 31-59 are the second row, seats 61-95 the third row, 97-129 or so is the fourth row, etc.).

20 euro is their normal price for that section of seating. They have even cheaper seats in worse seats for 6-10 euro, usually. But, it will be thrilling and if you don't care about seeing the ballet anyway, should be a wonderful experience.

Neopolitan

Yes, Christina, these are currently the cheapest seats for this ballet. The cheaper ones are apparently gone or not released yet. I actually clicked some of the next price up (39 each?) and there is a box you can click to see the view from those seats. These were way at the side and seemed to be nearly as high, maybe one tier below. I thought the view shown from the seats we got-- which are pretty definitely in the center section looked better. If they aren't in the center section, then they'd have to be in the first row of the section just to the right of the center one.

While I don't like sitting that far up for theatre and maybe not even for opera, for ballet, I really don't mind. The facial expressions are important for the other two, not so much for the ballet. I'll let guaranteed and Mrs. guaranteed borrow my binoculars from time to time!

sweetbippity

I went to the Opera Garnier as part of a school trip to France when I was 16. We sat as far away as you possibly could, and the seats were extremely uncomfortable. Our 16 year old minds thought it was because they didn't want you falling asleep during the show. There was also a fair bit of teenaged tittering at the nudity.

I'll get back one day and I'm sure I'll appreciate it much more than I did back then. Enjoy!

guaranteed

Neopolitan,

We are arriving mid morning on the 15th.
And I expect that we will be checking into our Hotel, in the early afrternoon.
As is our custom, my wife will immediately go to sleep, and I will prowl the streets, off the leash....

So.
We will see you there.
My wife will be wide awake and bushy tailed.
I might be a bit comatosed.
But BOTH will be pleased to meet you .

G

Neopolitan

I have no idea why I said we were arriving just two days before. Actually we are arriving in Paris on the 8th, so we will have been there a week at that point. I think I'm confusing this with my half attempt to do tickets to the Opera instead.

Looking forward to meeting another Fodorite. You're a braver person than I. I'm not sure I could do the ballet on the night of arrival. But if your wife has a bushy tail, the seat might be more comfortable for her after all.

guaranteed

Brave?
No.
I just know that it will be a win-win situation.
My wife will love it.
I will most probably fall asleep.
How better can it get?
If I start to snore give me a jab.


we had no choice of dates. July 15 is our arrival date, and it's the last performance for a couple of months.

What do you know about the L'Academie Hotel on St Peres. We are in Paris for a Mathematical Conference. The hotel is right across the street from the conference, and it looks okay, the so called deluxe room rate looks good at around 100 Euros. We booked it . Any concerns about this hotel?

Phil.

WillTravel

guaranteed, given it will be July, does the hotel have air conditioning? A/C might or might not be necessary (but I'd lean strongly towards getting it).

guaranteed

Yes it does.

Nikki

I also sat in the very cheapest seats one time for the ballet at the Opera Garnier and they were indeed very uncomfortable, more like a perch than a seat. Glad I went, but the next time I sprang for better seats.

Lesli

http://www.academiehotel.com/

At 100E/night, you are getting a very good rate. Website offer 50% discounts during "certain periods," but rack rate for a deluxe double is 229E. Decor looks quite attractive!

A Yahoo search will turn up reviews on frommers.com, as well as tripadvisor and others. All state rooms are small, so worth it to pay slightly more for a deluxe, I imagine.

Neopolitan

Wow, that looks like a great hotel for the price. Many do specials in July and August, but I've never seen less than half price for an air conditioned one!

Scarlett

Guaranteed, while I love the Garnier and everything about it, the seats are not condusive to sleep, so you might manage to not doze off

What fun if you are sitting next to Neopolitan! ( envious emoticon)...