Opéra Royal de Versailles — Attraction in Versailles

Once there was a great King who was as much, if not more, a great Dancer. For Kingdoms rise and fall, but what he did for the art of dance is a gift bequeathed to the entire world for all generations.... How can this dancer, 400 years later, relate what it means to dance on the stage plating to the Royal Box where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette used to watch operas and ballets by Rameau, Gluck, Marain-Marais, Steffani, Lully, etc. To traverse the staircases and corridors frequented by the 'Sun-King' himself. Louis XIV -- the king who was such an avid and proficient dancer himself and dissatisfied with his court entertainments being limited by the skills of aristocratic amateurs, decreed that there be l'Academie de la Danse, a school where non-nobility, commoners who showed talent and temperament fit for it, were to devote their time to rigorous daily training and emerge having become the first of my profession's lineage: classical ballet dancers. 400 years later, in 1996, I was in the first season of performances to take place here, on that stage, in that Theatre since the revolution, and have been back 5 more times over the intervening 22 years. A truly great honor for me and the group with whom I still dance, Opera Atelier, and it's directors who were also my teachers in the art that sprang from the culture that once had a king with a passion for the form and style,the logic and the symmetry, the physicality, expressiveness; and the...

Exceptional place! The royal opera hall was added to the Royal Palace by king Louis XV for his son Louis XVI (monarch of France killed during the French Revolution). The opera still has sculptures and guilded wooden decoration, original from the 18th century. It is breath taking beyond words!! The cosy hall is home stage for a variety of representations including concerts of classical music (mostly chamber), theater plays and operas. I personally watched here the concert by the violinist René Capucon which I enjoyed greatly, the play by Molière "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" which I adored, another play by Molière "Don Juan" whose modern mise-en-scène I appreciated a bit less, and lately an opera by Donizetti "La Fille du régiment" which I absolutely loved. For those interested - a tip to get a ticket - book VERY early, generally at least 3 months in advance if you want a nice seat. And on the day, come at least 30 minutes in advance to enjoy the beauty of the gallery (and of Chappelle Royale) as you walk down the aisle to the Opera hall. Unforgettable experience for your...

Performance: 5/5 Excellent. Period costumes, great acting, and live music.

Service: 5/5 Excellent. Polite and professional staff members.

Ambience: 5/5 Excellent. Absolutely stunning architecture and surroundings. It is truly a magnificent space literally worthy of kings and queens.

Cleanliness: 5/5 Excellent. Spotless.

Value: 5/5 Excellent. If you book tickets upon the opening of a new season, you can snag €50 seats up on the Colonnade which are still brilliant seats. Honestly, the opera seats up to only 800 people which is quite a small space therefore there are no bad seats.

Overall: 5/5 Excellent. Relive a lost moment in history and experience an opera, play, or ballet in the former royal opera house. It is a truly...