Traces of the Phantom in Paris
There are many other ways to connect to the story of Phantom of the Opera while touring through France. While these stops are inspired by various versions of the Phantom's story and while some may be farther off than the capital city of Paris, they may be places you might consider while spending time in France.
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Burial site of Gaston Leroux
For anybody unaware, Gaston Leroux is the author of the original 1910 novel Le Fantome de L'Opera. He started off as a journalist and even investigated the depths of the Paris Opera in these days after the Paris Commune. In 1907, Leroux left journalism to write novels. Leroux's grave site is located in Nice, in the south of France. The plot is immediately to the left or the main entrance to the Cimetiére du Château. He lived from 6 May, 1868 to 15 April 1927. A nice way to pay respects to the story is to go to the direct source of it all. Rest in Peace, Monsieur Leroux.
Cimetiére du Château location: Allée François Aragon, 06300 Nice, France.
Cimetiére du Château location: Allée François Aragon, 06300 Nice, France.
Burial site of Charles Garnier
Charles Garnier was the architect who designed the Palais Garnier where the story of the Phantom of the Opera took place. His work in the Opera gave him fame from his winning entry in a contest for the layout of the new Paris Opera and even today he is honored by being included to the name to the building. Garnier died in Paris of a stroke and is buried at the Montparnasse Cemetery. He lived from 6 November 1825 to 3 August 1898.
Montparnasse Cemetery location: 3, bd Edgard Quinet 75014 Paris, France.
Montparnasse Cemetery location: 3, bd Edgard Quinet 75014 Paris, France.
Bretagne
From the Leroux novel, Christine and Raoul first meet as children in Perros-Guirec, which is in the Brittany (Bretagne) region of France. Known for the pink coastline, Perros-Guirec is small and quaint with not a huge amount of tourism, but enough to still remain enjoyable. According to travel sites, the spring and summer are the most desireable times to go and combing the beaches is most enjoyed by tourists. There are no specific places mentioned in the book except for the Setting Sun bed and breakfast. From my research, there is no such place in existence today, but one could still attempt to search for a small church with a cemetery outside of its gates. There you may find where Raoul first encountered Erik with his "death's head," and maybe you too could be haunted by the enchanted violin playing at a grave site like Papa Daae.
The West End
Playing Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of The Phantom of the Opera since 1986, London's Her Majesty's Theater has been the home of the original production since its opening. The theater is located on Haymarket street, close by Picadilly Circus and the National Gallery. London is easily accessible from Paris by use of the EuroStar rail system. Departing from Gare du Nord and arriving at the St. Pancras station, with a passport and a credit card, you can spend just one afternoon in London to see a matinee and then return to Paris in no time.
I personally spent a night in London, arriving around eleven on Friday morning, catching the double-decker tour bus to see some sights, spending a good four hours at the Tower of London, and then getting off just down the street by the London Bridge. From there I caught dinner, changed clothes and walked over to Her Majesty's to view the show. It was a great experience to not only spoil myself with third row seating, but to also give myself the chance to meet with Sofia Escobar and Marcus Lovett afterwards. After spending a night in a nearby hostel, I went back by the National Gallery to shop at the old book seller's shops, had fish and chips at a pub, and then found my guided tour bus again to see the final stops on the route and return back to St. Pancras station.
I personally spent a night in London, arriving around eleven on Friday morning, catching the double-decker tour bus to see some sights, spending a good four hours at the Tower of London, and then getting off just down the street by the London Bridge. From there I caught dinner, changed clothes and walked over to Her Majesty's to view the show. It was a great experience to not only spoil myself with third row seating, but to also give myself the chance to meet with Sofia Escobar and Marcus Lovett afterwards. After spending a night in a nearby hostel, I went back by the National Gallery to shop at the old book seller's shops, had fish and chips at a pub, and then found my guided tour bus again to see the final stops on the route and return back to St. Pancras station.
Muse d'Orsay
Big on Impressionism, the Muse d'Orsay was originally a train station which you can see plainly in the archetecture and design of the building. Many art enthusists were appauled that such fine works would be displayed in the former station, but it now serves as an interesting location to house the works of many of the most well known names and artworks. Not only a great museum to visit, but this is the key spot to see the works of Edgar Degas. In connection to Phantom, moments and designs for the ALW production were inspired by Degas' paintings. Specifically, the design of the corps du ballet dancers in the show, and the Angel of Music scene where the ballerinas are practicing off to the side. It's a small ode to Phantom to visit this location, but regardless, it takes you back in time while looking at Edgar Degas' work, finding pieces of the opera inside of his art.
Also featured at the Muse d'Orsay was an exhibit on the Palais Garnier. A small section is dedicated to paintings featuring the Garnier, a replica of the building and stage, as well as a overhead view of the building and streets below. Find photos of Degas, as well as the Garnier exhibit below.
Also featured at the Muse d'Orsay was an exhibit on the Palais Garnier. A small section is dedicated to paintings featuring the Garnier, a replica of the building and stage, as well as a overhead view of the building and streets below. Find photos of Degas, as well as the Garnier exhibit below.