Palais Garnier (Paris National Opera), Paris

Le Palais L'Opera Garnier is a favorite haunt of mine. I love going there during the day to do pen and ink drawings of some of the over-the-top ornate decor! If anyone has not been in a room that looks like what I imagine heaven to look like, this is it! The auditorium, itself,is gold leaf and red velvet all over! The seats are red velvet with a foot warmer underneath (those cold, wet winter nights in Paris make these a real plus!) he ceiling has a painting by Chagall which characterizes some of the operas and ballets that are stables in the L'Opera's repertoire. Gold-leaf figures and very Rococo-style ornamentation surround the viewer, which, to American eyes, may seem overwhelming. Even the walls and ceilings of the box seats are covered in plush red velvet! There is, of course, the Grand Staircase in the entrance hall of marble, and the balconies overlooking the stairwell, but my favorite room is the ball room on the second floor toward the front of the building; covered in gold gilt with lovely Rococo-style paintings; it is what Donald Trump would fall in-love with it is sooo elegant! It truly is the Epitome of Elegance! Go to a performance, esp. an opening, where you may see aristocracy in glamorous formal gowns! (PLEASE don't wear jeans and t-shirt). Ballet is usually performed here, and there is most likely a performance every night.