coldwar27

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.

StCirq

I'd certainly start with the Opéra Garnier.

HowardR

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

coldwar27

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.

Scarlett

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..

Patrick

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.

coldwar27

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.

grandmere

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.

JonJon

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.

Patrick

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.

Christina

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.

RonZ

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.

Patrick

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.

coldwar27

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.

Patrick

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.

StCirq

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.

Scarlett

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

coldwar27

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!

Travelnut

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

mike_b12

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