At the end of our day at Disney, Indy started to not feel well. We were so thankful he had made it through the majority of our trip before he got hit with illness, and that we had some flexibility in the schedule to take some downtime the next day. We got to sleep in and take the morning of the 26th to just rest at the hotel. Our friends went to visit Versailles, which we had already seen back in 2015, so in the afternoon, we went to the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier) which is well known as the location of the Phantom of the Opera. Sissi and I were super excited to get to visit and take a tour inside the building.
Outside the Palais Garnier.
Views of the inside are incredible.
I couldn't take enough pictures of the ceiling and arches. Truly, this is one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable opera houses in the world.
And, the lights heading up the grand staircase.
The art work on the chandelier is "newer" (1960's) and represents things around the city.
Sitting in some front row, orchestra seats. We didn't get to see a show (they were currently doing "Cinderella," the ballet) but it was still neat to sit as if we were there for a show.
Our tour guide was excellent, so much information and history. You can tour the Opera on your own, but I think the tour was totally worth it.
The box reserved for special guests.
There was also quite a collection of art work around the Opera House.
And, they had their own library! Yes, I know, it's true...a library in the Opera House.
Some of these are original 19th Century books that Emperor Napoleon III had purchased for the Palais Garnier.
A copy of what the original ceiling and chandelier art work looked like before it was repainted.
A hall of mirrors, copied after the hallway at Versailles...so even though we didn't go to Versailles on this day, we still got to "revisit" one of the highlights of a trip to Versailles.
And the ceiling, with an impressively tall, red Christmas tree reaching almost all the way up to meet it.
Sissi and I in front of the Christmas tree.
A ballet slipper Christmas tree!
More views of the ceilings.
Then, I was fascinated by the floor tilings.
Sissi by the door to the box the Phantom always requested be held for him.
They even have his name on the door!
More incredible floor tiles.
Costumes, there were glass cases with famous costumes from previous shows that have been held at the Palais Garnier.
Nutcracker costumes.
Beautiful dresses.
One last look into the theatre before we depart.
Sissi and I in one of the boxes.
The Christmas tree in the gift shop.
As we were leaving....definitely a highlight of our trip to Paris.
Walking away from the Palais Garnier toward the Tuileries for a visit to the Christmas Market.
We finally got in our ice skating at the Tuileries.
Super fun to do this with friends.
The dads!
The next morning, we had a few hours before we had to check out and get our trains...we took a walk to the oldest chocolate shop in Paris! Opened in 1761 this store is older than our country!
Inside we found all kinds of special treats and samples. I got what I came for...truffles!
Back to our hotel, just south of the Sacre Coeur.
Group shot at the train station in Paris...goodbyes with good friends are a hard thing!
On our first train, Paris to Frankfurt.
Then, our second train, Frankfurt to Berlin.
We slept hard that night!
