I had a Maria moment when I walked into this grand ball room of the Opera Garnier (the opera house of the Acadamie Musique that inspired the Phantom of the Opera) and I had the urge to waltz about but I was also afraid Captain Vontrappe might come and scold me for going where I'm not supposed to be.


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The overture before the overture. Even if it doesn't float your boat architecturally you'll be in awe. I was giddy just walking in, the anticipation and theatrical mood set by the building before you even enter the theatre proper. And the ballet we saw was tres magnifique. Everyone in Paris is beautiful and I'll be darned if the ballerines were not even more so. And for 10 euro I could lean over the side balcony and feel all 19th century starving student in love with art and Paris and fashion but in an intellectual way. Right? Classy but suffering for art? But kinda wishing that you were part of the rich but resenting them. I feel like that's a proper 19th century feeling.