The Ballet of the Paris Opera is something that every visitor should take an evening to see. It’s one of the best-trained ballet companies in the world; their dancers are of an extraordinary standard. The company performs from September to July; schedules and ticket purchases are at www.opera-de-paris.fr . The company performs in two different venues, the Salle Garnier in the 9eme and the Opera Bastille at the edge of the Marais (border of the 4eme and 12eme.) Each has its advantages and drawbacks. The Salle Garnier, the great Second Empire building everyone really means when they speak of the Opera, should be seen just for the architecture and the Chagall ceiling. The problem with the magnificent 19th century architecture was that it was built not for watching the stage, but for watching other patrons. Inexpensive seats in the loges can have maddening views, especially the ones at only 6 or 7 Euros available only in person at the box office. Buy them cautiously.
The Opera Bastille is a big modern barn of a theater, but you make up in clarity what you lose in character. The 2004-05 season has recently been announced; it’s strongly accented to contemporary work, which is not the forte of the brilliantly classically trained dancers and the current direction’s choices in commissions can be discussed. Still, worth your time whatever they are doing.