Hi Frugalistas! The Opera Garnier in Paris was another place I’d walked past many times in Paris, but never entered. It was not a conscious decision. Just something I’d never made the time to do. But finally I made it. And what a special time it was. Yes, the interiors are stunning. But it was watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier that was really special and an unexpected part of my visit…….
My first clue that this was not a normal visit to the Opera was at the entry:
The auditorium is closed for rehearsals
the sign read (or something like that anyway). Watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier
I wandered up the stairs, the interiors becoming more outrageously over the top the higher I climbed. I watched the tour groups, I found a pretty little display of costumes and of course I spent ages enjoying the vast public areas. Watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier
But then I saw another little sign:
To the Opera Boxes
(or something like that!)
Up some dark stairs and there I was. In a little plastic sheeted room made out of one of the boxes. With a perfect view of the interior of the Opera auditorium. And the Chagall ceiling. One of the things I had been looking forward to seeing. Even more beautiful, and more whimsical than I had imagined. There was just one problem – the huge sign that said
No photos permitted
(and I remember that quite specifically!)
And there was a guide. And it was a small room. No chance of even “accidentally” taking one quick photo.
I don’t have a photo of the Chagall ceiling but I have some beautiful memories Photo: Flickr under Creative Commons Licence
But then I looked down onto the stage. And then I saw them. About 20 young dancers. The rehearsal. Happening before my eyes. Except they weren’t rehearsing. They were clearly on a break……
I watched them standing around laughing and joking. I watched them showing off and leaping about having fun. Then I watched them dancing – hip hop! Watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier
A ceiling I was able to take a photo of!
I stood there for ages. Taking in the beauty and wonder of the Chagall ceiling. And watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier. No I don’t have a photo of the ceiling. No I don’t have a photo of the rehearsals. But that’s not the point. It doesn’t mean I wasn’t there just because I haven’t posted a shot on Instagram to prove it. Not being allowed to take photos made me appreciate the Opera Garnier in a way I certainly wouldn’t have otherwise. It made me stop and absorb my surroundings. It made me stop and take everything in. And it made me stop and enjoy watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier.
Another ceiling that I could photograph
And for me, that is so much more…….
Have you ever been somewhere you couldn’t take photos? What was your experience?
In the Opera Garnier museum I found this model of the original opera house ceiling before Chagall……
You can book your tickets to the Opera Garnier here:
Watching rehearsals at the Opera Garnier
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I am always torn when the sign says no photographs. In a religious place I assume it is because of religious reasons and accept it. In other places I think that sometimes they mean “No Flash”. I’ve been in places with a clear no photographs sign and a guard and yet everyone is taking photos (without flash) willy nilly and the guard ignores it. In Siracusa at the Mikwe baths (old jewish baths discovered 25 years ago) it was a tiny space and “No Photographs”. There was a general tour guide conducting the tour and no-one took photos and I didn’t question him about it. When I did a post and wanted a photo I got one from Pinterest, so someone has obviously taken them. Maybe if I had gone in an “official” capacity it would have been allowed.
Oh and the interior of the opera looks totally amazing and I do like “the” ceiling in question.
What a great story – and memory! Thank you so much for sharing
Great post. What an incredible place to visit !
This is beautiful. Ceilings remind me of when I was in the music hall in the neuschwantein castle in Germany
I wasn’t supposed to take photos of the David statue in Florence, but everyone else does (sigh). I wasn’t supposed to take photos of the Mary home in Loreto, Italy in the basilica, but everyone else was. (I did not). And no photos are allowed of the Sistine Chapel, either, but I still see photos cropping up on Pinterest and elsewhere. Alas, I try to follow the rules. But I do have great memories!
Now I have a question about the opera, as I will be in Paris in two weeks. Did you basically just walk in? Or was there some kind of entrance fee you had to pay?
It’s hard to know what to do isn’t it? In Athens you aren’t allowed to take photos of a lot of things, but in the Acropolis Museum, EVERYONE was taking photos of the Carytids while the guard stood by and watched!
yes, I think it is a similar vintage
Thank you, that’s very kind!
Thank you Anne, that’s very kind!
Yes, it’s a dilemma isn’t it? This one was such a small room with such an observant guard, I just knew it wasn’t happening……
Nice pictures! I love the opera Garnier and it is really worth seeing a show there: maybe during your next visit!
The other opera, Bastille is also worth visiting: the stage is massive and the technicalities behind it impressive!
Yes, I’m thinking next time a performance will be in order. I’ve walked past the Opera Bastille many times but never been inside, so thanks for the tip!
What an amazing experience! I’d looove to see the Opera Garnier!
It’s certainly a wonderful place to visit