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Palais Garnier and lunch in the park


Today I ventured out alone, I caught the metro and rose from the underground to see this


This is the Palais Garnier ( the Paris opera house) it was completed in 1875 and wow is it amazing.I had a great tour guide and her passion for the building was contagious.


This is the grand staircase, the picture doesn't do it justice, the stairs are made of marble from all over the world, and as such has so many beautiful colours. The guide was telling us that this area is larger and more important than the actual theatre because when this building was built it was much more important to be seen than to watch the performance. The rich would have season tickets, and as such would come on on the theatre 3 times a week , to be "seen". Just think girls three new dresses every week.


The stall were important, as the women were not allowed to sit in the main area, near a strange man. And also when the building was built the candelabra actually had candles so if you sat under it you 
got wax dripped on you . . . . Not great for those new dresses
The rich red was everywhere, and apparently was the choice of the architect, because he believed the red was more flattering to women. 


And this was where you went to have your canapés and champagne between performances.
A little preview to Versailles . . . I would not mind sipping champagne here . . . 
It is a tuely stunning building and I learned so much .....about how the theatre and its history really a must see.




This is napoleons column in the Place  Vendome, I actually came here to see the Chanel shop , which was only a few small windows showing some jewellery with a very scary looking guard. I didn't even try to go in.  Ohh well they have three shops so I m heading to another tomorrow. This column is pretty cool and you can lean more about it here


After all the window shopping, I headed here to have my lunch, ( at about 3pm) and I have to say it s a pretty nice place to have lunch. 
After my lunch I had a bit of a look in a tapestry shop and wandered around Ille St. Louis then headed home. I did go for a wander later last night and got to get some lovely night photos, but haven't had a chance to load them up yet.

Au Revoir

Googy Girl

Comments

A world just so different to mine......
Anita said…
What a stunning building inside! Only saw it from the outside Love the history!! I'm reliving my holiday through you!
Sonia said…
Looking amazing... So enjoying the memories of bian as adventures.
Susan said…
So glad you're having a wonderful time and seeing so much, but still sound so relaxed.
I think I poked around the same tapestry shop, just near there. Le Rouvray was just around the corner but no more. There is a little square just down from that tapestry shop which has the oldest tree in Paris.......in the shade of which the prisoners awaiting their turn to go to the guillotine would sit! Glad you are getting around so well....have fun!
Unknown said…
Really enjoying reading your daily adventures. What a magical trip ��
Liz Notaras said…
How amazing you are really embrassing the culture iam thoroughing enjoying your adventures.Thankyou Trish
I'm like Anita and re-living it all through your posts Trish....fantastic!
DAWNIE said…
Well done getting out on that metro, some pretty awesome sights. Love seeing someones elses travels

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