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Department Stores
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 names, and has great (free) fashion shows each
week. It is always very busy so best to go in the morning. There
is a a nice self-service restaurant on the 6th floor with views
over the Opera. Au Printemps also has a weekly fashion show which
is held in the 6th floor tea salon beneath a Belle Epoque blue
stained-glass rotunda.
Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier was the 'piece de resistance' of Napoleon III and
Baron Haussmann. 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.
La Madeleine
The building of the Madeleine Church, named for Mary Magdalene, began
in 1763 but was not finished until 1842. The famous Maxim's restaurant
is nearby on the rue Royale and on the square of the Madeleine are
two famous specialty food stores; Fauchon and Hediard's.
Pigalle
Stretching from the place de Clichy up to Monmartre, Pigalle is
a red light district with live peep shows, erotic videos, and sex
shops. The famous ‘Moulin Rouge’ is here and the Musee
de l'Eroticisme, which is actually quite interesting. Further along
on Boulevard de Rochechouart was the nightclub Le Chat-Noir, made
famous in the poster by Toulouse Lautrec.
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