Hello, I will be in Paris next month and decided it would be nice to experience a show in the old Opera Garnier. My only option during the week I will be there is a ballet named La Dame sux Camelias. Being that I've never been in this opera house before, does anyone know which section would be best to sit in given my tight budget? From the Paris Opera website, I see prices for seats at 6€, 7€, 10€, 21€, 42€, 65€, 87€. My budget would probably get me as far as 21€.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
I was lucky enough to see "Swan Lake" with Barishnikov many years ago in the Opera Garnier. Couldn't afford anything beyond the very cheapest seats at the time. But I was able to make sure not to get one of the seats with "obstructed view". I still had a view of the stage AND probably the best view of the Chagal ceiling in the house! Definitely the one big advantage of cheaping out in this place ;-)
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
http://www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/
Hi Gabriel,
You can use the French National Opera website to purchase your tickets and reserve your seats. This way you will be able to see where your place is located before you press the $ key. Reserve your tickets now or they are likely to be sold out when you arrive next month. You will be able to print your ticket voucher at home. Enjoy!
Bon Voyage!
Posted by
MIAMI!
75 posts
just make sure you are either not under the chandelier or not siting in box 5 :)
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
14 posts
We were there twice in April 09. The first time in the Orchestra section and had wonderful seats. The 2nd time we got cheaper seats up in like the 3rd balcony, big mistake. Once you leave the mainfloor, the seats, physically are different. They are more bench like with ver short backs. No back support and very little front leg room. It was incredibly uncomfortable and distracting. PLUS, be aware the French theatres tend to be terribly OVER heated. In April, with the temp outside at night in the 50's, we wore a shirt, a light sweater and a dress jacket over that. In the theatre, it was too much, both the jacket & sweater came off. I almost wished I had a short sleeve shirt on. The Parisians seem used to it but it was stifling hot to me (and I live in Houston but am used to good climate control in all public buildings). Definitel go. La Dame is a an interested ballet & not much seen in America. The Opera Garnier is an extraordinary building, explore it during intermissions. A jewel!
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
I support Mitch's view of the opera house. In the mid-1990s I saw "Manon of Spring". I had purchased the almost cheapest seat but not the cheapest. This was the most uncomfortable seat I ever experienced. The leg room was so limited that I had to spread my legs in order to fit them into the space. I could only stand the miserable feeling for one act and left as soon as it was over. Either buy top end seats or talk to someone at the box office about the mid-price tickets. But if you are of average to large build forget about the lowest priced tickets. They are not worth the misery.
Posted by
OP
Pico Rivera, CA
594 posts
Thank you for all of your suggestions. I'm beginning to think I may not make it after all. The ballet is a whopping 3 hours long (including two intervals). With that length I'm afraid that I'll fall asleep during the show being that this is the last leg of my two week Euro trip and I'll be very tired.