It is difficult to describe the Opéra Garnier in words. Sumptuous, bold, and extravagant, it is a must-see that invites you to discover the lavish, Seconde Empire style of Napoléon III. Now the home of the Paris Opera Ballet, its staircases and Grand Foyer are as impressive as the auditorium itself. We spent all morning exploring and learning about the structure made famous by Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera (yes, there is an underground lake, but it is closed to the public). The famous Chagall ceiling was not our favorite element, but we did enjoy learning about the customs of 19th century operagoers, who attended the opera more to be seen than to actually watch the performance. We also heard a brief history of classical dance, with a demonstration by Maria in the photo above.
We are all feeling exhilarated and a little tired from all our activities, so our afternoon centered around cafés and shopping on the Champs-Elysées before returning to Daniélou to meet our host students and to prepare for a family weekend.
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