The Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palais Garnier are two Parisian constructions of unquestionable beauty that are the settings for two characters of unsightly appearance; The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and The Phantom of the Opera.
Notre Dame
Notre-Dame
This Gothic cathedral, built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple and a Christian church, is one of the most visited symbols of Paris.
It features some of the most widely recognized architectural elements in the world: flying buttresses, stained-glass rose windows, gargoyles, and the main façade and the two towers.
In the 19th century, Notre-Dame was in such a bad state that its demolition was considered, but Victor Hugo decided to make the cathedral one of the protagonists of his novel Notre-Dame de Paris to promote a reassessment of Gothic architecture.
The book became an instant success and attracted the much needed attention to the decaying condition of the building, leading to a major restoration completed in the 1860s.
Notre-Dame’s gargoyles are decorative elements but also part of the pipe system that keeps rainwater from damaging the walls.
Notre-Dame 2 (2019-11-27/2019-11-27) by Marcel Straus
Notre-Dame’s two 69-meter towers were the tallest structures in Paris until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was completed.
Notre-Dame was listed in 1991 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the 17th and 18th centuries a series of paintings were donated to Notre-Dame by the goldsmiths guild of Paris almost every month of May. These works are known as the Mays.
Did you know that the weathercock atop the spire contained utterly important relics, including a small piece of the Crown of Thorns? The rooster was recovered almost intact after the 2019 fire.
Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier
This building, commissioned by Napoleon III, is at first glance a stereotypical European opera house: marble double staircase, dazzling chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and red velvet seats.
An eclectic landmark, influenced by the Baroque and Renaissance styles.
The architecture and ornamentation of the building produce an inanimate aura of mystery that still remains.
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The Palais Garnier was the first electrified opera house in the world.
Palais Garnier 1 (2020-05-21/2020-05-21) by Caleb Maxwell
Charles Garnier worked in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel to design the Paris Opera’s storehouse and workshops known as les Ateliers Berthier.
Rudolf Nureyev appeared on the stage of the Palais Garnier in 1961 during the Kirov Ballet’s first tour abroad. He later served as the chief choreographer of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Did you know that in 2012, George Michael was the first contemporary artist to perform at the Palais Garnier?
Without a doubt two of the most astonishing landmarks in Paris tell the story of France through their architecture and written works about them.