Paris Theatres
 

I am planning to be in Paris in April 2004 staying in the 7th. Are there any theatre houses/buildings that you could recommend? I am looking for a historical building perhaps - less concerned with the play/show/movie playing there. I suppose I am looking for a place that "takes your breath away" when you see the interior. I have tried to search previous posts and could not find information.

Thank you in advance.

I'd certainly start with the Opéra Garnier.

I'd start and end with Opera Garnier. Nothing else in Paris could possibly match what you are looking for!

Thanks very much. Apparently, I should have asked this question awhile ago. The events scheduled for the Opera Garnier are already sold out for when I will be in Paris (April 8-13). Apparently they have tours of the place though, has anyone done this? More information appreciated. :)

http://www.opera-de-paris.fr/

On the left, you will see a list and at the bottom , one of them is visites..click on that, then click on English..unless you can read French. That should get your info on the tours. Otherwise, google the opera house tours. They do them every day-you could even get on one while you are there. It is, indeed, a sight not to be missed!
While there, you are just across the street from the Galleries Lafayette. While not a theater, you should go look at the beautiful domed stained glass ceiling.
Then of course, there is St Chappelle, which never ceases to take my breath away..

Yes by all means do a tour of the Opera Garnier. It is worth doing. You sign up during the day at the box office in the lobby. When we did it, the place was pretty much closed down for the summer -- no productions, but we still had a nice tour. It is normally much more extensive during the active season.

This is kind of offbeat, but you know the theatre at the end of the film Charade? Friends toured that old theatre as part of a group theatre tour of Europe. But I have no idea if it is generally available, or even what theatre that is. Sadly Paris seems lacking in wonderful old theatres -- other than the Opera Garnier. Even Versailles doesn't have a wonderful small theatre, which has always amazed me.

Thanks for the tour information. I will definitely sign up.

Patrick: I do not know the theatre in the movie. I think you are near Tampa so you might know - I was looking for something historical like the Tampa Theatre. I guess I expected Paris would have several theatres like this or MUCH better.

Thanks again for the assistance.

I arrive in Paris on 3/5, and the last night of Giselle at Garnier is 3/4. On the website it looks as though the theatre is dark for the next 2-3 weeks; isn't that strange for the season?

Two years ago we had tix for Hurlevent at Garnier (Wuthering Heights), but trip had to be cancelled b/c of family emerg. I was sure I'd get to see a performance there this upcoming trip. Guess I'll just have to take a tour w/o a show.

Are you staying in a hotel with a concierge? If so, e-mail them now and ask about tickets. Theatres are rarely ever really "sold out" since they all hold back a certain number of house seats, even in Paris. A ticket agency might also be of help. Good luck.

Coldwar, yes, I am in Naples and I do know the Tampa Theatre and I understand exactly what you are looking for. You'll find wonderful theatres in many cities in Europe. Most of the really wonderful ones tend to be royal theatres within castles or royal residences. Saw a wonderful one in Munich's residence last year, and I still remember the wonderful little theatre in Stockholm. Also in Valetta, Malta is one of the pretties I've ever seen. Unfortunately apparently Paris never went through that "preserve" phase for theatres. To my knowledge they just don't exist there.

I don't know what the Tampa Theatre is like, but I don't think Paris is exactly known for its theater architecture. Actually, I think Paris is very good for its train stations, those are very beautiful.

They don't have some of the grand Baroque theaters like some other cities that I know of, and the Garnier probably is the only one that might take your breath away. However, the National Theater (Odeon Theater) is a beautiful neo-classical building, in my opinion, with an interesting ceiling by a more modern painter (not sure if they got that idea from Garnier/Chagall or not -- its by Masson). I think most people don't know this theater because the plays are in French and most people don't go. That's the best one I can think, other than the Garnier Opera, which is outstanding.

The Theatre des Champs Elysees is a very attractive design by Perret, I think, but that's more from the outside that I find it appealing and I like his work.

There were/are a lot of smaller theaters in Paris (the Marais area was known for this if you've seen that famous movie Les Enfants du Paradis), but I think the big public grand buildings are the Garnier and Odeon. There are several other large, wellknown theaters (at Chaillot, Theatre de la Ville, Palais-Royal where the Comedie Francaise works) but I don't think they are known for knock-you-out appearnce so much, but they do have long historical interest. The Palais Royal was royal but it burned down once or twice so isn't the same as originally, anyway.

We found the tour of the Opera Garnier, which I believe was at noon, to be extremely worthwhile. In addition to the building itself, the discussion had to do with how the people of that era lived and acted.

The theatre is Charade was the Comedie Francaise.

The Odeon Theatre, mentioned by Christina above is quite pretty inside. "Takes your breath away" would be an overstatement, however. But unfortunately (or fortunately, actually) it is being totally rebuilt and restored. It is supposed to reopen in 2005 I believe. But they used to have tours there, and I assume will when it reopens.

Thanks again for your assistance. I just checked a new guidebook and it mentioned the tour of the Opera Garnier but also said that it was open to just wander before the tour as well. That might be the way to go - wander and tour the building. :)

I can't imagine being able to just wander on your own very far. Maybe you get to see the lobby, but I'd be surprised if doors are wide open so you can go out into the theatre, backstage, or into the boxes. I could be wrong, but it would sure surprise me if that's the case.

coldwar: Take the tour. You can't see much of anything in the Opéra Garnier without it - you are very limited in what you can just look at on your own. If you're serious about wanting to have your breath taken away, spring for the tour.

When we were there, buying tickets, people were allowed to 'tour' the lobby, no one was allowed up the staircase.
Take the tour!

Again, thanks for the information. I guess my dream of running up on an unguarded stage and belting out songs is out of the picture in Paris. ;)

I will definitely sign up for the tour. Thanks!

What shape is la Pagode in these days? It was built in 1895 - seems to be undergoing some restoration... it's in the 7th (it's a cinema, not a theatre)...
http://www.silverscreens.com/en_paris07.html

You must go to the Rodin Museum. It is something you shouldn't miss.

Go to Galleries Lafayette fashion show. You must make reservations via email before you leave.

I'm surprised at Patrick's comment that Versailles doesn't have a "wonderful small theater". I would certainly put the Théâtre Gabriel in that category. It was built in 1770 and restored to its former glory in the 1950's. It took my breath away when I saw it.

There is also the Opéra Comique. It is by no means the equal of the Opéra Garnier, but is well worth seeing.

Wow, that's interesting. Last time I was at Versailles, maybe three or four years ago, I specifically asked about a theatre and was told there was none. Or at least they were telling me there was none open for viewing. When did you see this? Is it a recent restoration? In two tours of Versailles over the years, it was never available to me.

ttt

Petrick: I last visited the theatre about ten years ago, but so far as I know it is still open to visits and for concerts and operas. I think the restoration was completed about 1957.

As you are probably aware, there are several guided tours of the Palace available, and I believe that outside of performances, the theatre can only be visited as part of one of these tours. I believe that when I last saw it, it was part of the tour that included the Appartements du Roi. However, as you also probably know, the administration and guides can be somewhat capricious, and galleries etc can open and close seemingly at random, so if you want to see the theatre, it's best to check beforehand.

Patrick, sorry about the misspelling.

Well, I'll be. I just went to the www.chateuversailles.fr site and found that there are indeed guided tours including the opera house -- maybe it was closed when I was there and they simply made no mention of it. In fact there are some nice pictures on the website of the interior, coldwar27. I'd definitely look into visiting it.

Thanks for the additional replies. I visited the Rodin Museum last summer and loved it. Will probably return. I will keep the fashion show in mind.

I'm thrilled to find out about the theatre at Versailles. I fell in love with this place last summer and it is #1 on my list of places to visit again. I taught history so always had a special place in my heart for Versailles but was overwhelmed when I went. I am excited to go back and see the theatre as well. Thanks again!

By the way, coldwar, be sure to visit the village at Versailles as well on your next trip, assuming you didn't do it on the first one. You can walk there -- a long way out and past the Petite Palace. Or at times there is a little mini train that will take you. It's a clever reproduction farm village created for Marie Antoinette to remind her of her youth, and it has been restored.

Interesting, but 15 year old thread.