An acquaintance tells me that it is the custom to tip the ushers at the Garnier. I was surprised to hear this, is it true?
We will be in an upstairs box one night, and downstairs in orchestra another, and wondering if tipping applies in either place?

Thank you, Malka

I'd give them at least 20E for each location. One doesn't want to act cheap in such a grand setting. Anything less would draw loud hissing, and perhaps a cherry tart upside your head.

Ignore degas, he's being scarcastic.

Tipping is indeed traditional at all shows in France where there are ushers. 1 euro is fine.

It may be as I think it is still the custom to tip people who show you to your seat in movie theaters in Paris (although I haven't been in one in Paris for some years who had an usher). I also have never had an usher show me to my seat in the Garnier, either in the orchestra or a box, so I admit the issue has never come up for me. It's very possible you won't have an usher, either, that escorts you to your very seat. If so, I guess a euro would do. There were ushers in the Garnier who just sort of waved in the direction where I was supposed to go when I showed them my ticket and I didn't ask for any special help as I could easily find the row and seat number. In the upstairs box I had last summer, they had to be opened by key as no one was in them yet, and I guess an usher did that, but she didn't even stick around long enough to do anything other than open the door, and didn't act anticipatory in any way or linger, and I didn't tip her. They generally help people who seem to need a lot more help (elderly, folks who don't seem to be able to figure out how to read seat numbers, etc.).

Yeah, 1E should do the trick, but I'd be slow to part with it since its so darn valuable these days.

Thank you for your replies, tipping customs vary so much and can cause misunderstandings, so it's useful to have an idea what people might expect. I guess we'll also just try to follow what other people seem to be doing.

Last Thursday, I went to see Madeleine Peyroux sing at L'Olympia, on Blvd des Capucines. Also attended "Disney Princesses Sur Glace" at La Villette.

At both venues, one a concert, the other an ice show, young women took the tickets at the entrance, escorted people to their seats, then stood there expectantly for a tip.

They apparently didn't have high hopes for any windfalls, because just a few coins dropped into their hands produced a bright smile.

At L'Olympia, at least, the ushers actually performed a useful service because individual seat markings were non-existent. Or maybe the numbers were engraved in invisible ink, just to goof on us.

Degas, was that one of your schemes?

Tipping is totally forbidden in the 'national' and 'municipal' theatres, as opposed to the private ones. But to contradict myself, I would have to admit that I once had an invitation for the presidential box at the Opéra Garnier (long story), and the usher made it very clear that she was going to wait for compensation for showing my to my place -- so I broke down and paid her.

Kerouac,

That sounds like an interesting story.

Well, here is the short version, Toupary: French presidents have about 20 or 30 presidential boxes at their disposal at all times in the major theatres. Mitterrand set up a list for his staff to put in requests to use all of those wasted empty boxes. The husband of one of my colleagues was one of Mitterrand's bodyguards. It was through my colleague that I was able to take advantage of this incredible experience. Very lousy view of the stage, by the way, although you could spit on the performers if you wanted to.

I've only been to the Garnier once, and I found my own seat. There was an usher standing at the door but didn't even offer to help -- me or anyone else. I'm not sure who or why I should tip.

Bottom line, they show you to your seat, you tip. They dont show you to your seat, you dont tip. Its not really that complex.