Phantoms of the Opera and Montmartre

The Opera Garnier was our first stop on a crisp, sunny morning. We had a fabulous English speaking guide who led us through time (and the building) describing the magnificent opera house. From the solid marble stairs to the red velvet and gold auditorium, nothing was left ungilded. We learned that Charles Garnier, the architect, cunningly signed his name in many of the elaborate artworks. We also learned that the Opera skews the lines between reality and illusion. We felt that if we looked into one of the many mirrors, we might just come face to face with the phantom (the Opera Garnier is the setting of the novel the Phantom of the Opera).
From there, we made a quick stop at the must visit Galleries Layfette, the largest department store in Paris. It has eight levels of designer wares and rises to the beautiful dome of stained glass.
Our next pilgrimage took us up the funicular to the highest point in Paris, Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur. This beautiful French Byzantine style basilica, like a magestic wedding cake, perches above the art colony. We climbed 300 stairs to the dome of Sacré Coeur where we beheld a breath taking vista. Paris lay at our feet. Upon our descent, we explored the history and making of present day Montmartre at the Montmartre Museum, learning that artists including Picasso, Renior, Dali, Toulouse-latrec, and Edith Piaf have lived in and been insipired by this vibrant community.
The girls will be with their families for the four day Ascention holiday. Please check out our pictures and stay tuned for more posts early next week!