Belle Epoque
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The Belle Epoque in Paris
The Boulevard des Italiens became very fashionable in the middle of the 19th century. It was lined with cafes and restaurants which the 'beau monde' frequented, #22 Cafe Tortoni, #20 Maison Doree, the meeting place for fashionable Paris, No. 16 Cafe Riche. The boulevard got its name from the Opera-Comique, which was commonly called 'the Italiens'.
Cafe de la Paix is the quintessential 19th century cafe and was designed by the same architect, Garnier, as the Opera. It was a frequent haunt of Oscar Wilde. Nearby in Rue Scribe, where the Hotel Scribe now stands, used to be the exclusive Jockey Club and it was here the Lumiere brothers held the world's first public cinema screening in 1895. L'Olympia Music Hall, in blvd. Des Capucines was where Edith Piaf achieved fame, and it is still an important venue for pop stars.
The Grand Boulevards
The Grand Boulevards were built in 1705 where the the old walls around Paris were demolished and by about 1750 the Boulevard (the original name) had became fashionable where the nobility and rich built their homes and Parisians would sit and watch the horse carriages and riders pass by. The east end, the Boulevard du Temple, became a center of theatres and dance halls, circuses, waxworks, puppets, dancers, acrobats, mechanical figures, cafes, restaurants, booths and barrows. This lasted for about 100 years.
Shopping in Paris
Blvd. Haussmann is the home of the department stores Au Printemps, opened in 1864, and Galeries Lafayette, opened in 1894. Galeries Lafayette has a magnificent stained glass dome. It carries all the great fashion name. There is a self-service restaurant on the 6th floor with views over the Opera. Au Printemps has a 6th floor tea salon beneath a Belle Epoque roof
Passages
There are still some pretty covered passages off the Grand Boulevards, as Passage Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau.
Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier was the 'piece de resistance' of Napoleon III and Baron Haussman. Its opulence, inside and out, its mixture of architectural styles, its red and gold decor some may think a little flamboyant, but for all that, it is magnificent. It was once the world's largest theater and is famed for its 6-ton chandelier and Chagall painted ceiling depicting Parisian scenes and images from opera. Backstage is the Foyer de la Danse so often painted by Degas and beneath the cellars there lies an artificial lake, providing water for the city's fire brigade, that was the fictional grotto of Lerous' Phantom of the Opera. The Opera Garnier mainly stages ballets now days, operas which have moved to the Opera Bastille.
D'Orsay Museum
Across the river from the Louvre, was originally a Beaux-Arts train station but by the 1950's its platforms became too short and it was up for demolition. An innovative restoration transformed the train station into a museum spanning art from 1830 - 1914. Its skylit Impressionist Gallery holds the jewels of Impressionist Art
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Art Nouveau
At the Exhibition, in 1900, it was Hector Guimard who found fame. In the ever changing expression of Art Nouveau, he gave a new style to the entrances of the Parisian
subway, the Metropolitan, never seen before. Blanche station was the first to see the
decorative arabesques and leaf-like curves, which blended with amazing energy and vivacity.
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Experience the Belle Epoque
On the 28th December 1895, in the Indian lounge of the Grand Café, Boulevard des Capucines, in Paris, 23 guests attended an extraordinary show by the Lumière Brothers. The photograph that had just been projected onto a small screen had come to life ! Coaches, horses and passers-by started to move, a real-life of a street appeared on the screen : 'At this sight, we stood open-mouthed, completely overawed', said the conjurer Georges Mélies, who became famous later by making more than 500 movies full of fantasy and poetry, such as the remarkable Voyage dans la Lune (Journey to the Moon) in 1902."
Relive the Belle Epoque
Imagine spending an afternoon as a 19th century person enjoying the best Paris had to offer in the same places. Now you can. On these tours you will experience dining, shopping and living during the Belle Epoque accompanied by a special guide.
Duration 5 hours
Meeting Point: Eiffel Tower at 1pm to begin with a horse and carriage ride
You will meet at the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel, a real genius of iron architecture built this 300 metre high tower that could be admired from anywhere in Paris and was the main attraction of the Universal Exhibition of 1889.
After a private romantic ride you will meet your English speaking licensed guide at Place Vendom for a 4 hour walking tour:
You will see the shopsthe greatest jewelers in the world followed by the Palais Royal >19th century covered Passages > Opera Garnier > Galerie Lafayette / Au Printemps > The Lalique Store (the great 19th century glass master) and finally Hediard a gourmet store to the Beau Monde since 1854
Drop off at La Duree at 5:00pm, a tea shop since 1862 and decorate by the great painted of Art Nouveau posters Jules Cheret.
Optional : Dinner reservations at a typical 19th century Brasserie: Le Grand Colbert, Le Train Bleu or The Grand Cafe
Optional: Morning Visit to the Musee d'orsay
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