9DOMAINE NATIONAL DU PALAIS ROYAL Originally the property of Richelieu, then the d’Orléans family, the Palais Royal opened for business in 1780. At this time, the palace was synonymous with pros- titution, gambling and scandal. Its past now forgotten, the Palais Royal today houses the French Ministry of Culture, several exclusive boutiques, a Michelin- starred restaurant, a delightful and peaceful French formal garden, and the famous black and white columns by Daniel Buren. Place Colette (1st). M Palais Royal –o PALAIS Musée du Louvre. 01 47 03 92 16. www.domaine-palais-royal.fr GARNIER 10LES CAVES DU LOUVRE These prestigious vaulted 18th-century wine opéranationaldeparis cellars used to house the wine served at the court of the king of France! Redeveloped into an interactive museum, they now wel- The show begins with the facade of the Palais come the public to discover the world of Garnier, one of the city’s most iconic build- wine via a dedicated app or a guided tour. As ings. Polychrome arcades, marble columns, is fitting, the visit finishes with a wine tasting. grandiose statues, gildings … This symbol of 52 rue de l’Arbre Sec (1st). M Louvre – Rivoli.o Second Empire architecture, designed by 01 40 28 13 11. Daily: 2pm-6pm (Sun: 5pm), Charles Garnier and indissociable from the except 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. ‘Discovery’ Haussmanian style, has inspired countless package (access to wine cellars and temporary film directors and authors, including Gaston exhibition): free. ‘Classic’ package (guided tour Leroux for his famous novel The Phantom of in French or English and tasting of 3 wines)/full the Opera. Byday, the opera house is open rate: €32. www.cavesdulouvre.com for tours. The Rotonde des abonnés (Mem- bers’Rotunda) and the main staircase — plus ‘a monument within the monument’ — are … an essential part of any visit. However, the highlight is the auditorium itself! Under a CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE ceiling painted by Chagall (1963) and a crys- Visitors can enjoy shoppingand culture at talchandelier weighing eight tons, purple the Carrousel du Louvre, which boasts doz- velvet chairs frame the impressive 1,200 m2 ens of boutiques, access to the inverted Pyr- stage. At night, the venue returns to its pri- amid, 14th-century chateau walls … Infor- mary vocation as a stage for operas, ballets mation and concierge services at reception. and concerts. Anyone with a sweet tooth 99 rue de Rivoli (1st). M Palais Royal –o should call in at the gift shop and buy some Musée du Louvre. 01 43 16 47 10. of the honey cultivated in beehives on the www.carrouseldulouvre.com roofs of the opera house or take a seat at one of the tables of the ultra-stylish and COMÉDIE-FRANÇAISE – SALLE RICHELIEU modern CoCo Restaurant. The Comédie-Française was formed out of Place de l’Opéra (9th). the unification of the troupes of Molière and M Opéra.o the Hôtel de Bourgogne in 1680. The prestig- 0 892 89 90 90 (€0.35/min). ious ‘Troupe des Comédiens-Français’ per- Daily: 10am-5pm (10am-7pm from mid-July forms works from a repertoire of 3,000 plays to early Sept), except 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec and at this mythical venue. exceptional events. Full rate: €12/€14 Place Colette (1st). M Palais Royal –o (outside/during exhibition period). Musée du Louvre. 01 44 58 15 15. www.operadeparis.fr/visites/palais-garnier www.comedie-francaise.fr 22| HISTORIC HEART