An afternoon at the Opera

After walking for miles, we lobbed at the Opera Garnier. Guided tour ready to start. Only another 5 miles walking. Great to see, but Oh! my feet.
I put this photo in as an example of the opera at its dullest. See below.

Hate to pay the light bill.

Apparently the heat and smoke when all these lights were gaslights, was tremendous

 .
The circle and boxes. The middle seats were the 'amphitheatre' and the front ones the 'orchestra'.

The chandelier that occasioned Phantom of the Opera. When we saw it, it had been lowered to about 1 metre above the seats, to change the light bulbs.

The dome that the chandelier is drawn  up in to. (you can see the support wires) Painted by Chagall.

I think this was some kind of foyer. Reminiscent of Versaille's Hall of Mirrors.

A 'fireplace' in the foyer.

The Grand staircase. Marble and gold everywhere.

From the inside, looking out.

The marble stair-rail

Cathy is in this photo of the front balcony. Somewhere. 

Place de la Opera

No, it's not the Phantom and whats-her-name. 

A sudden glimpse of Sacre Coeur from Blvde Hausmann.

Memories of a lovely lunch, and Paul Keating. (Ask Anne)