Paris - jeudi 15 septembre

jeudi 15 septembre - at the paris opera (a.k.a.) Palais Garnier,  "180 euros for balcony seating."
I'm going to see LA CLÉMENCE DE TITUS in what I consider to be the greatest theatre of all time!
It's an opera from the 18th century... if you've ever read the Count of Monte Cristo - this would be the kind of theatre experience I've fascinated about in my imagination - were I a count in france, I'd arrive in a wagon pulled by the best horses in all of europe, and I'd watch the play from up high in a red velvet booth with a beautiful actress at my side with, of course, the best wine that France has to offer... then afterwards there would be a party at my estate in the Parisian countryside.  "aww the romanticism... you could hate opera and theatre and still be blown away by this building and the performance."


here are some pictures of the theatre and some history:


Acutally, duh, this is the place of the Phantom of the Opera!

Théâtre de l'Opéra. It retained this title until 1978 when it was re-named the Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris

Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera

During 1896, the falling of one of the counterweights for the grand chandelier resulted in the death of one person. This incident, as well as the underground lake, cellars, along with the other elements of the Opera House, even the building itself, were the inspirations of Gaston Lerouxfor his classic 1910 gothic novel The Phantom of the Opera.

apparently there was an underground lake under the theatre that had to be pumped out for months... this was the fictional hiding place of the "phantom" - it also served as a personal escape route for the tactical theatre enthusiast - Napoleon

Shorty (Napoleon) and the Theatre:

Theatre and spectacle were close to Napoleon's heart. In the fifteen years of Consulate and Empire he saw 374 plays. But since he saw certain works more than once - in fact the record was Cinna which he saw twelve times - he actually made a total of 682 visits to the theatre, in other words nearly once a week religiously for 15 years.


Before I see the play I better go shopping for something to wear... My aim is to look as French as possible, and not like some colorful - American - tourist that nobody wants to socialize with during intermission and perhaps afterwards hit the town: I haven't forgotten that French fashion is actually something worth exploring, America has nothing on Paris baby.




Maybe this would do?

The Bazar de l’Hôtel des Ville department store first opened its doors in Paris in 1856. Over 150 years later and the BHV have expanded with the opening of a new department, BHV Homme, which is rapidly becoming the city’s premier address for menswear. Whatever a man’s heart desires – so long as it’s to do with high quality fashion that is – can be found on the shelves, hangers and rails of BHV Homme: watches from Adidas, hats from Fléchet, shoes from Bensimon, underwear from Dolce & Gabbana, shirts from Chemises Blanches, tees from CK Jeans…oh, and Vivien Westwood accessories!

Then dining in the latin quarter:

Le Petit Pont is a delightful French restaurant found in the famous Latin Quarter in Paris’ 9th arrondissement and boasts stunning views over the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. This typical French brasserie takes its name from the bridge just opposite and just oozes Parisian charm. Inside the décor is modern in style with a bright and spacious feel. The street side terrace is the perfect place to dine during the summer, where you can watch the world go by in one of Paris’ most vibrant areas, but is equally as good in the winter due to the huge outdoor heaters. The food is based on typical French brasserie cuisine with dishes such as duck foie gras with figs on toast, beef steak with pepper sauce and potatoes dauphinois and fine apple tart flambéed in Calvados always guaranteed to please. Le Petit Pont also offers a great selection of beers and cocktails and feature resident “House” DJ’s Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to really get the weekend going. Le Petit Pont is a real gem of a brasserie in the 9th.


I'm a little unsure of dining here: I might be looking for something more - although it does have a view of the backside of Notre Dame!




Good enough for one night?


I think this would be a grand ending to a wonderful trip: I'll have four days afterwards to wonder the streets of paris and see the museums; louvre-dorsay... and the catacombs and climb the tower and explore the cathedrals... this is a time I'll spend in wonder and not press myself with plans... just take in one last breath of French life and culture and art and music and food before I head home to life in Idaho.