FRANCE: OTT Extravagance in Paris

Paris has an abundance of displays of opulence and indulgence.

Since it is so hard to decide on a “favourite”, I am going to talk about 3 places in Paris that stand out for me as OTT (Over the Top) in extravagance.

I am going to start with Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra Garnier.

One way to describe the Palais Garnier is as “eclectic opulence”.

There is a combination of Baroque, Classical, and Renaissance elements. 

The mix can be summed up as Beaux-Arts.

NOTE: If you can view this post on a big screen, in my humble opinion, you should do so. There are lots of beautiful and intricate details that show up much better on a big screen.

 

The Opéra Garnier (Palais Garnier) was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III in 1861.

The design competition was won by Charles Garnier, a 35-year-old relatively unknown architect. As it turns out, his elaborate and imaginative design ended up becoming one of the most iconic buildings of Paris. 

 

The outside has intricate statues, columns and busts of famous composers.

 

 

 

And then there are the gold-leaf sculptures 

Inside, the grand foyer is equally opulent.

It basically served as a drawing room for Paris society folks.

 

 

It was a place to see and be seen.   

 

 

It features painted ceilings and an abundance of chandeliers.

 

 

 

Look up... 

 The attention to details is astounding.

 

 

 

There are no "empty" spaces. 

 I think a PhD in mythology and the arts would come in handy to understand all the allegory.

 

 

 

Once again I question my education and/or attention span as a student.  

 

 

 The "Phantom of the Opera", Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel and subsequent opera, take place in the Palais Garnier and was inspired by legends surrounding the building. The story helped immortalize the Palais Garnier in popular culture. There is a theatre box reserved for the Phantom.

Even in today’s society it is still a prime spot to see and be seen. Now it is Influencers and Instagramers as they pose for their modern day photos.  

 

 

Yes, they are very annoying. 

Maybe its a generational thing, but John and I still struggle to get a decent selfie.

 

Directly across the street from the Palais Garnier is Galeries Lafayette, an upscale retail store, another highlight for opulence in Paris. Construction started in 1910 and the official inauguration was 2 years later in October 1912.

 

The store was designed to feel like a “cathedral of commerce” with open galleries and golden balconies on each floor overlooking the central area..

 

 

The best part is a stunning glass-and-steel dome. 

For a closer look at the Coupole, they have installed a glass walkway on the 4^th floor. 

Which makes an excellent location to stop for selfies. 

It gives an awesome closer look at the workmanship of the dome.

 

 

The intricate details must have required a lot of skill and patience. 

I liked this old-fashioned elevator.

Or there are stairs that for those that wish to keep their step count up.

I was quite surprised to see there was an area for “resale” clothing. Upscale, of course.

There is a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of Paris, for FREE! 

 

Moving on to the the third OTT place that made an impression on me...... Paris' Gare de Lyon (Lyon train station) was built for the 1900 World’s Fair.  

 

 

Inside the train station is the legendary restaurant called Train Bleu. 

The restaurant's walls and ceilings have 41 frescoes and paintings by celebrated artists like Flameng, Gervex, and Burnand. (Another confession: I have no idea who these people are.) 

 

 

Each one shows towns and landscapes along the Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée railway  

 

 

Over the years they have hosted famous patrons including Coco Chanel, Cocteau, Salvador Dalí, Brigitte Bardot and Marcel Pagnol. (Call me a heathen, but, I don’t know all of those names either.) 

 

 

It has also appeared in films like Nikita, Mr. Bean’s Holiday and Voyages with My Aunt.

 

While John and I lunched there we did not see any movie cameras or paparazzi.

We enjoyed every morsel without annoying flashbulbs or Influencers. 

 

 

The joys of being retired and flying under the radar.