Saturday, October 8, 2011

L'Opéra Bastille


Last June 2010, I stayed in the Marais, just blocks from the Place de la Bastille.  One day I came up from the Métro and looked the Opéra square in the face.  I will admit that it has never been a favorite of mine, but I'd hoped it would "grow on me, in time.  Well .... it   hasn't.  It's sleek, curvy and to be honest, not all that well cared for in places.  I have photos but decided to leave that alone.  Maybe if I had been inside for a performance,  I would feel differently. This bright sunny day, I did my best to put a good face on it.

Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
Métro- Bastille

19 comments:

French Girl in Seattle said...

I agree-- that building has never grown on me either and it sits next to the most famous of Paris "non-sights"-- Fortunately, the neighborhood itself is fun and eclectic, especially at night ;-) Great shot, from an unusual angle. Bon weekend, Virginia-- Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

La Petite Gallery said...

I know old age gets ya, but I remember staying at an elegante Hotel and up the Street a famous Art Nouveau Restaurant "Maxim's"
It was wonderful and the Paris Opera House was huge, across the street.
yvonne.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Give me OLD PARIS....I can go to downtown Minnepolis and see such structure as this, but give me OLD PARIS....Anita

Alexa said...

I think you're preaching to the choir, V! Or maybe since the Opéra Garnier is sheer perfection, they decided to just make this new one the exact opposite. :~}

Leif Hagen said...

What could compare with THEE Opera house of Paris!? Zis one, not so much.... But I do wonder what it looks like inside....

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Je suis d'accord. However, the interior and the acoustics are reported to be wonderful. I would love to see Nureyev's La Bayadère which will be performing next March (or Cendrillon). The tickets are très cher.

Harriet said...

You've given a view that I didn't see, so I'm grateful for that, but I'll take Opera Garnier.

Love having the music of Francoise Hardy back.

Virginia said...

Harriet,
I"m glad you like the music. I found I enjoyed music so much on other blogs, I needed to bring it back. Unfortunately my favorites are no long available on free players. QUelle dommage.
V

Starman said...

Perhaps they figured if they couldn't build a place like Opéra Garnier, they'd do something modern. I kind of like it.

Burlap Luxe said...

Virginia
I so agree! Yet beautiful inside, I just don't want to see so much modern in Paris, leave these towers for the cities in the States.

Thank you for sharing your beauty with us, and more so thank you for sharing your time with me, your visit and comment meant so much, I treasure new followers and ones who have a love for all things French at heart.

I will be seeing you soon.

Pendant les vacances, vous devez visiter, Anita et moi sera affiché une performance avec le Thratre Opéra.

voir, vous et votre beauté inspirante bientôt.
bisous
~ Dore

Vreni said...

I stayed a lot of times in the neighbourhood of the Opéra de la Bastille... Although I like modern architecture, I don´t like this building very much, but your photo shows a very interesting angle!

MadAboutParis said...

I'm with Starman...I like it. Paris also needs 20th century examples of architecture - and the juxtaposition of old and modern is eye-catching...remember, in 200 years it will be studied by art historians.

James said...

I think you would change your mind if you went inside. I felt the same as you until a few years ago when my wife's parents gave us tickets to see Madame Butterfly for a late Christmas gift. The seats were amazing and so are the memories. Now if I could just see a performance in L'Opéra Garnier

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Virgina,

Interesting angle of the building, but give me old architecture any day.
Complete opposite, to the beautiful L'Opera Garnier.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh I really like this picture ans how exciting to get to go there!!

Daryl said...

Nice angles, you did put a good 'face' on it with this shot of the facade!

Cezar and Léia said...

You did an excellent job then, the place looks cool to me!
God bless you!
Cezar

Lowell said...

I've not been there, but this photo makes the place look rather attractive in a dramatic sort of way.

Love that header shot with the reflections!

Paris Paul said...

Excellent angle for this! The Opéra Bastille is hard to shoot because of its mass, but you've done a great job with this one!