Friday, March 23, 2012

Palais Garnier - The Grand Foyer


The opulence of Palais Garnier defies description.  This tourist shot does at least give one an idea of the scale and size of this Beaux-Arts opera house.  I will be returning here next week to feel the music in every crevice, to imagine the famous dancers who have graced her stage, to appreciate the barely-known architect who created her.

To me it is like so much of Paris.  One cannot truly grasp the whole with a single visit, and I want to see it again with the fresh eyes of my husband who will be making his first trip to Paris.  We will be there next week.

Virginia (Paris Through my Lens), a dear friend and fellow traveler to Paris, sent me a link to this marvelous 25 minute documentary on the story and building of Palais Garnier.  I think that you will not be able to stop once you start.

bon weekend


Palais Garnier
Place de l'Opéra
75009, Paris

(For more Weekend Reflections, click here for James' wonderful collection of participants)

33 comments:

Randy said...

What a beautiful room. Great reflection on the floor too.

French Girl in Seattle said...

Lovely shot, and great documentary. I love the Chagall ceiling personally-- and all the legends hidden in the building (The Phantom of the Opera...) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Sylvia K said...

So beautiful and such a terrific capture! I know you and your husband are going to have a fantastic time and I can't wait to read about it in your blog. Needless to say, I am just a tad envious! Have a great weekend and a safe trip, Genie!

Hugs
Sylvia

James said...

It's breathtaking! I saw Madame Butterfly in L' Opéra Bastille and I wish I saw it here. Your husband is in for a real treat!

BriGt said...

Oh my goshh how amazing is this place !!
One day.. sigh... i will go to Paris :)

martinealison said...

L'opulence du lieu est féerique... Gros bisous

This is Belgium said...

magnificent !! one word to say it all l !
unfortunately no time right now to watch mme V's video.
how great that hubby is coming !
oh yes, is this the trip which will also bring you to the Provence ?
I just wish you were here (or in Paris) this week , today, tomorrow, the weather is gorgeous, splendid, breathtakingly agréable
anni

M said...

Wow! I must get inside that building... So glad you will be enjoying a performance! Can't wait to see your pictures and hear about your trip with D.

brattcat said...

exquisite. have a wonderful time watching your husband fall in love with your city of lights.

Harriet said...

Next trip, I will definitely get myself and my husband inside for a tour! Thanks for showing this photo. I will watch the video later. A little tingle of excitement knowing that you depart for Paris in a couple of days!

Virginia said...

This confirms that I must get inside! And the video is courtesy of one of my dear readers who sends me links from time to time. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
V

Janey and Co. said...

I believe that this is a shot of the ballroom. I may just have to scan a picture of my husband and myself dancing in this very room...and post it tomorrow!...Janey

Cezar and Léia said...

Splendid place!
I love the lights in this picture, it's wonderful!
Have a great weekend,
hugs
Léia

Anonymous said...

Genie,

This is truly a magnificent image. It is breathtaking. I can't even imagine what it would feel like entering the place! Stunning!

Pat said...

So beautiful. I was inside only once...

Diane said...

So true. My son said on our last visit that everything is truly ridiculously off the scale in Paris - which is fabulous. xxxx

TheChieftess said...

Gorgeous! Aren't we glad that history provides with such opulence...cause no one's building them like this anymore!!!

Alexa said...

I don't have an adjective that does this justice—je suis éblouie! I hope your husband knows how lucky he is to see Paris for the first time with you, ma chère.

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Amazing. Those chandeliers are fantastic, can you imagine lighting them all back in the days of candles? Thank heavens for the staff, sniff sniff.

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Wonderful!

Regards and best wishes

Louise said...

What you say is very true- it is hard to take in the beauty with one visit- and even if you do, you can't believe it, and want to go back anyway. We went to the Palais Garnier on our last visit, we stayed close by and saw it every day too. I'd go back. In an instant.

Lynne with an e said...

How wonderful and romantic that you will be able to share your passion for Paris with your husband in situ. It should prove quite a different trip than previous ones, I imagine. Bon voyage! (how could it be otherwise?)

Lynne xo

(ps. that green glow you see emanating from my comment is just a bit of envy shining through; no need to try to adjust your computer screen.)
;-)

Jack said...

Isn't it hard to fathom anyone having the resources to create a space so grand? Beautiful! Have a wonderful trip. We all await the resulting photos.

Gunn said...

This is what I call Regal image!:)
Fantastic!

s.c said...

Great reflection in an old building with the romantic light of the chandeliers. Thanks for showing Genie.

Ellie said...

What a stunning room and the reflection from the chandeliers on the floor just adds to it's character.

Dianne said...

the light is so warm for such a huge fancy place
wonderful shot

Catherine said...

your shot conveys the beauty and elegance of the space....

Harriet said...

Many thanks to Virginia for the link to the documentary. I'm putting L'Opera Garnier at the top of my list for my next visit!

Cryingbear said...

Wow! quelle photo!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

city of love, will you be going to the opera when your husband goes to paris?

Jilly said...

Stunning and a beautiful photo.

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