Address: 2, rue Duperré - 75009 Paris

Area: Montmartre

Metro: Pigalle (M°2 & M°12)

Description:

A red theatrical atmosphere in a new baroque style decoration

Dedicated to the arts world and its artists, the Villa Royale has a beautiful unique style. It pays tribute to Parisian celebrities, in a cosy atmosphere, in rococo style even to the finest details. Hidden behind the scenes is a luxury atmosphere, plasma TV screens, Jacuzzis, and exceptional services.

Facing Sacré Cœur, it captures the atmosphere of showbiz Paris, the Paris of the Moulin Rouge and Toulouse Lautrec, sung of by the poets that hunt the Place Pigalle. Still today music and theatre reigns, thus giving proof of an amazing eclectic atmosphere, sure to attract all types of people.

Louvre / Concorde
Madeleine / Opera
Marais / Bastille
Latin Quarter / Notre Dame
Saint Germain
Montparnasse / Luxembourg
Eiffel Tower
Champs Elysees
Opera / Montmartre
Arc de Triomphe
Elysees / Trocadero

Pigalle
Stretching from the place de Clichy up to Monmartre, Pigalle is a red light district with live peep shows, erotic videos, and sex shops. The famous ‘Moulin Rouge’ is here and the Musee de l'Eroticisme, which is actually quite interesting. Further along on Boulevard de Rochechouart was the nightclub Le Chat-Noir, made famous in the poster by Toulouse Lautrec.

Department Stores
Blvd. Haussmann is the home of the department stores Au Printemps, opened in 1864, and Galeries Lafayette, opened in 1894. Galeries Lafayette has a magnificent stained glass dome. It carries all the great fashion names, and has great (free) fashion shows each week. It is always very busy so best to go in the morning. There is a a nice self-service restaurant on the 6th floor with views over the Opera. Au Printemps also has a weekly fashion show which is held in the 6th floor tea salon beneath a Belle Epoque blue stained-glass rotunda.

Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier was the 'piece de resistance' of Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann. Its opulence, inside and out, its mixture of architectural styles, its red and gold decor some may think a little flamboyant, but for all that, it is magnificent. It was once the world's largest theater and is famed for its 6-ton chandelier and Chagall painted ceiling depicting Parisian scenes and images from opera. Backstage is the Foyer de la Danse so often painted by Degas and beneath the cellars there lies an artificial lake, providing water for the city's fire brigade, that was the fictional grotto of Lerous' Phantom of the Opera. The Opera Garnier mainly stages ballets now days, operas which have moved to the Opera Bastille.

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