Paris - Opéra de la Bastille

The site of the Bastille is now occupied by the new Opera House designed by the Uruguay-born Canadian architect Carlos Ott and officially opened by President Mitterand on July 13 1989. The first performance, after the final completion of construction work, was of Berlioz's "Trojans" on March 17 1990.

This prestigious building, a combination of rectangles and curves, covers an area of some 15 hec/37 acr.

Must-see attractions nearby:

The stepped lattice-work glass facade has a cool and functional appearance. The bright foyer forms a kind of semicircle round the auditorium, whose tent-like glass ceiling harmonizes well with the steeply raked rows of white seats below. At the entrance is a colorful statue of the Genius of femininity by Niki de Saint-Phalle. The gigantic stage of the main house, which has seating for 2,700, is surrounded by five subsidiary stages of similar dimensions beside it and behind it. The view of the stage from the auditorium and the acoustics are both excellent. The complex also includes an amphitheater with seating for 600, a theater which can be arranged to seat audiences of varying size between 600 and 1,300, a studio with seating for 280, rehearsal stages, a library and a videotheque.

Adjoining the Opera is the Grandes Marches restaurant, demolished and rebuilt as a historical replica.

Address: Opéra Bastille, 120 rue de Lyon
Place de Bastille, F-75012 Paris, France

Hours:

11am-6pm; Closed: Sun

Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), 1945 Victory Day (May 8), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Bastille Day - France (July 14), Assumption Day - Christian (August 15), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian, Ascension Thursday - Christian

Tips: The season runs from early October through to mid-July and one opera is staged at a time but concerts and recitals also take place so you should write ahead to check the schedule if you want to see an opera. Tickets can be ordered two months before a performance. Tickets go on sale at the box office 14 days before. Located at the west side of the opera house, the box office is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11am-6 p.m. Documentation in foreign languages available.

Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.

Guides: Guided tour included with admission.

Facilities: Gift shop

Transit: Metro: Bastille