WHEN LOVE COMES TO LIFE AT THE PARIS OPERA

 

 

With the arrival of spring, the City of Light is adorned with a new softness, and the Paris Opera celebrates the season of love through an exceptional program. From fiery passions to tragic impulses, and captivating mysteries, romance takes on many forms. Dive into a tailor-made experience around the Paris Opera, blending tours, discoveries, and shared moments, and let yourself be swept away by five masterpieces of the season where love is sung, danced, and lived on the Parisian stage.

 

 

 

A ROMANTIC DAY
around the Opéra Garnier

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE OPÉRA GARNIER

Start your day with an unmissable visit to the Opéra Garnier, this iconic venue that has inspired countless poets and lovers throughout the centuries. In the morning, the Opéra is quieter, allowing you to savor every detail of its sumptuous architecture, from its dazzling gold leaf to its ceiling decorated by Chagall. Take your time to admire the grandeur of the grand staircase and let yourself be immersed in the history hidden behind every fresco and column. A guided tour will reveal the secret corners of this monument, away from the crowds. You can wander through the library's salons or lose yourself in the corridors with their golden vaults, surrounded by the magnificence of this magical place. It’s the perfect moment to share knowing smiles and be swept away by the romantic atmosphere of the Opera.

 

A ROMANTIC LUNCH AT THE CAFÉ DE LA PAIX

After your immersion in the history of the Opéra, it's time to enjoy a romantic lunch at the Café de la Paix, one of the most iconic restaurants in Paris. Located just across from the Opéra Garnier, this majestic venue offers modern French cuisine, where classics are reinterpreted with finesse and creativity. Under its grand crystal chandeliers, amidst golden moldings and elegant frescoes, the Café de la Paix immerses you in a chic and romantic setting, the perfect opportunity to share precious moments while savoring the art of living à la parisienne.

 

A HAND-IN-HAND STROLL IN THE TUILERIES GARDEN

After lunch, set off on a romantic walk that will first take you through Place Vendôme, one of the most iconic and elegant squares in Paris. Its majestic columns and haute couture boutiques add a touch of luxury and refinement, creating an atmosphere filled with charm and sophistication. Continue your stroll toward the Tuileries Garden, just a short walk away. This historic garden, bordered by the Louvre, invites you to wander beneath the shade of century-old trees while admiring the sculptures and fountains that dot the park.

 

AN ESCAPE ALONG THE SEINE

Let yourself be carried away on a barge cruise along the Seine, a peaceful moment to savor the beauty of Paris together. As you glide slowly on the water, you'll pass under historic bridges, admiring the Parisian quays and the grandeur of the iconic monuments lining the river: the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame… A moment suspended in time, where love and the beauty of Paris come together to offer an unforgettable experience.

 

A ROMANTIC DINNER AT HOTEL ÉDOUARD 7

Start your evening with an intimate dinner at La Cuisine de l'E7, located at the heart of Avenue de l’Opéra. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, Chef David Braido reveals a subtle and daring cuisine, where each dish invites discovery and the delight of your senses.

 

THE CURTAINS RISE ON THE MAGIC OF THE OPERA

After your dinner, the Opéra Garnier awaits you for an unforgettable evening, just a short walk from the hotel Edouard 7. Whether it's an enchanting opera or a moving ballet, the curtains rise and the stage becomes a realm of magic where love comes to life. Discover in the rest of the article our selection of the most anticipated romantic performances of the season.

To continue the romance of your evening, head to the hotel Edouard 7. Surrounded by silk, velvet, and cashmere, the rooms and suites reveal discreet comfort in a cozy intimacy, where every detail embodies Parisian elegance and draws inspiration from the jewelry world of Place Vendôme. A true getaway for two in the history and refinement of a private house. In the morning, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Opéra Garnier, the perfect final memory of your stay at the heart of Paris.

 

FIVE ROMANTIC PASSIONS
to experience this season

SYLVIA : THE NYMPH AND THE HUNTER

In a mythological forest, the huntress nymph Sylvia is courted by the shepherd Aminta. Initially indifferent, Sylvia is touched by Aminta's sincere love after a series of trials and divine interventions. Created by Louis Mérante, Sylvia was the first ballet performed at the Palais Garnier in 1876, shortly after its inauguration. With the brilliant music of Léo Delibes, also the composer of Coppélia, this masterpiece blends grace and virtuosity to tell a love story that overcomes obstacles and misunderstandings.

From May 8 to June 4, 2025, at the Opéra Garnier.

 

II BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA  : THE BIRTH OF A LOVE

Imagine a starry night in Seville. Count Almaviva, enamored with the beautiful Rosina, serenades her beneath her balcony, hoping to win her heart. However, Rosina is jealously guarded by her tutor, Dr. Bartolo, who plans to marry her for her fortune. It is then that Figaro, the clever barber and former servant of the count, takes the stage. With wit and cunning, he devises schemes to unite the lovers, thwarting Bartolo’s plans. The misunderstandings pile up, disguises multiply, and love ultimately triumphs over all obstacles. This sparkling comedy, composed by Gioacchino Rossini, is a celebration of ingenuity and passion.

From June 10 to July 13, 2025, at the Opéra Bastille.

 

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY : A TALE OF ETERNAL LOVE

At her christening, Princess Aurora receives gifts from her fairy godmothers, but the evil fairy Carabosse, left out, casts a curse: Aurora will prick her finger and die. Fortunately, the Lilac Fairy softens the curse: Aurora will fall into a deep sleep for one hundred years, until a prince awakens her with a kiss of true love. This ballet, choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev to the enchanting music of Pyotr Ilitch Tchaikovsky, is an ode to triumphant love and the magic of fairy tales.

From March 8 to July 12, 2025, at the Opéra Bastille.

 

DON CARLOS : LOVE AGAINST DUTY

Dive into 16th-century Spain, where Prince Don Carlos is in love with the beautiful Elisabeth de Valois. Their love is thwarted when, to seal a political alliance, Elisabeth is forced to marry King Philip II, Don Carlos's father. Torn between his love for Elisabeth and his filial duty, Don Carlos is drawn into a spiral of jealousy, betrayal, and sacrifice. This monumental opera by Giuseppe Verdi explores the intricacies of human passion, inner conflict, and political intrigue with unmatched dramatic intensity.

From March 29 to April 25, 2025, at the Opéra Bastille.

 

PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE : A MYSTERIOUS LOVE

In the imaginary kingdom of Allemonde, Golaud, grandson of King Arkel, discovers an enigmatic young woman, Mélisande, lost in a forest. He marries her and brings her back to the castle, where she meets Pelléas, Golaud's half-brother. An irresistible attraction grows between them, plunging the trio into a tragedy where forbidden love, jealousy, and fate weave an inextricable web. Composed by Claude Debussy, this opera is a work of rare emotional depth, where each note evokes the mystery and fragility of human feelings.

From February 28 to March 27, 2025, at the Opéra Bastille.