Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats
The Nutcracker
Location
Duration
2 h 10 min
With intermission
Details
Ballet
For all audiences
No dialogue
Highlights: The Nutcracker
There is no ballet more enchanting, more charming, and more utterly fitting for the festive season than The Nutcracker. Set to the extraordinary score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographed by the wickedly talented Rudolf Nureyev, the Opéra Bastille presents a whimsical rendition of this famous ballet in two acts – an exceptional ballet in an exceptional venue!
The story of The Nutcracker goes back to the 19th century, when famed French choreographer Marius Petipa collaborated with the esteemed Tchaikovsky. The result: a classic ballet entitled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The first performance took place on December 18th, 1892 at St. Petersburg’s beloved Mariinsky Theatre.
Petipa’s choreography quickly became a point of reference for many subsequent productions. The dances are varied, with waltzes, mazurkas, Arabic dances, Chinese dances, and Russian dances, amongst a plethora of others. Highlights of this whimsical ballet include the famous Pas de deux du grand adage between Clara and the Prince.
In 1967, Rudolf Nureyev, a principal dancer with London’s Royal Ballet at the time, was invited to create a new version of The Nutcracker for the company. Nureyev brought his own artistic vision to the ballet, changing the choreography, implementing a host of new ideas, and injecting new life into this classic ballet. Nureyev’s choreography has since been acclaimed for both its breathtaking visual aesthetics and artistic innovation. He managed to capture both the magic and beauty of this classic tale whilst adding his own personal touch. For a show that will appeal to the whole family, come to the Opéra Bastille this holiday season!
See details for our premium option below!
Story: The Nutcracker
This ballet’s timeless tale is based on a story by Hoffmann, entitled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The story takes place on Christmas Eve, and Clara, our protagonist, has just received a nutcracker in the form of a wooden soldier as a gift. She falls asleep with it and finds herself immersed in an enchanted world where toys come to life. The nutcracker transforms into a prince, and together they embark on a fantastic adventure through an enchanted kingdom.
Clara’s dreams are filled with toy soldiers, mice, and oversized dolls, all portrayed through the whimsical lens of a child protagonist. On the stage of the Opéra Bastille, discover the dazzling choreography which helps this incredibly heart-warming story shine. Reserve your seats now!
Add-On & Special Experience
Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose this following upgraded offers at the time of booking:
Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
Indulge in the premium opera experience! Elevate your evening with our exclusive package, available even after standard ticket sales have closed. With this premium option, relish a glass of champagne, receive a show program, and enjoy privileged access to the Opéra Bastille's opulent Salon Berlioz—an intimate space reserved for our premium guests.
Please note, this special package is exclusively offered through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association. Don't miss the chance to make your opera night truly exceptional.
Reviews
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Opéra Bastille
Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, the building was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand and inaugurated in 1989. For years, many had lamented the lack of a modern venue in Paris capable of welcoming modern concerts and performances with different acoustic approaches, and the flexibility that a modulable venue lends. A movement started in the 1960s called for a larger new venue in Paris that would appeal to the masses, a modern compliment to the elaborate Palais Garnier. Just over 100 years after the inauguration of the Palais Garnier, the demands finally won over the newly-elected President Mitterrand, who supported the project as the headliner among many modern works launched during his term. Selecting the popular Bastille neighbourhood for its ease of accessibility from Paris and the surrounding areas, the old Bastille Train Station was destroyed to make way for the construction of the new venue. The building was completed just in time for the bicentenary of the French Revolution.
The venue has undergone many changes in direction resulting from varying political affiliations, and has undergone major renovations since its construction to repair and to soundproof the entire structure. Unlike other auditorium designs, each and every seat at the Opéra Bastille guarantees an unrestricted view of the stage. With its white glass ceiling, crisp gray compliments, and black seating adorned with rich oak, the venue is an ode to modernity and simplistic design. From the exterior, made of blue granite from Brittany and blocks of glass, light is reflected from every corner of this angular venue.
Fast facts Capacity: 2745 Handicap Accessible: Yes – in order to guarantee access to specific locations, we ask that you make your reservation at least 15 days before the performance. Air conditioning: Yes Heating: Yes
FAQ
How do I get to Opéra Bastille in the 12th arrondissement of Paris?
The Opéra Bastille is accessible by: Metro lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the Metro lines 1, 5, and 8, exiting at the Metro station Bastille. RER lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the RER lines A and D, which run until the RER station Gare de Lyon. Bus lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the bus lines 29, 87, 91, 76, and 86, exiting at the following stations: Bastille, Bastille - Faubourg Saint-Antoine. If you have any trouble getting to the theatre, our customer service can be reached from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the Opéra Bastille?
We recommend that you arrive 45 minutes before the start of The Nutcracker, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
How long does the opera, The Nutcracker, last?
The Nutcracker lasts approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, with an intermission.
Can I take photos during the performance of The Nutcracker?
n order not to disturb the artists on stage, and for the comfort of other guests, you are not permitted to photograph, film, or record the performance for the duration of The Nutcracker. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the Opéra Bastille to remember your night out!
Is The Nutcracker for an international audience or French speakers?
Both! The Opéra Bastille welcomes spectators from all over the world. This is a dance show without dialogue, and is therefore accessible for speakers of any language!
Subtitles or “surtitles”?
Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French, “sur” means “above”. At the Opéra Bastille, the text is projected both on the sides of the auditorium, and centrally, directly above the stage.
Does the Opéra Bastille have a specific dress code?
There is no specific dress code, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire. For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress. Generally, elegant casual wear is required, and jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.
Is there a coat check available at the Opéra Bastille?
At the Opéra Bastille, free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.
Is tipping customary at Opéra Bastille in Paris?
At the Opéra Bastille, it is not customary to tip ushers.
If I'm late, will I still be allowed into the show?
The theatre doors close as soon as the curtain rises and reopen at intermission if the performance includes one.
If you arrive within 15 minutes after the start of the performance, you will not be allowed to enter the theatre and will be directed to an area with a television where you can watch the first part of the show. You will be able to return to your seats during the intermission if the performance includes one.
What is included with my Premium ticket for The Nutcracker?
As the Premium tickets are our most exclusive package, these tickets include seating in Category Optima or in Category 1 (the best seats in the house), a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz.
If I purchased Premium tickets, where can I collect my programme and my glass of champagne?
At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick up your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, 2nd floor, and 4th floor. You can choose to enjoy your glass of champagne before the performance or during intermission. Champagne will be available at public bars or in the exclusive Salon Berlioz. The Salon is located on the first floor, at the right of the entrance to the Opéra Bastille. It is accessible by elevator or by stairs.
I bought Premium tickets for The Nutcracker and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?
Yes, it’s completely normal! As the Premium tickets for The Nutcracker include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Opéra de Paris can assign your seats and prepare your exclusive package. You may see a pre-charge on your card, but you can rest assured that we will not charge your card until the booking is validated by the Opéra de Paris. After the tickets are validated, you will receive your tickets by email. Given the large number of requests the Opéra de Paris has to manage, this process usually takes two days, but can take up to six days maximum. If your order has not been validated after six days, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.
How do I know if my seats are next to each other?
Tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
At the Paris Opera, the seats are assigned in odd numbers or even numbers. Therefore, if your tickets are consecutive odd numbers or even numbers (For example: 1, 3, 5,...), they will be adjacent.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.