Paquita at Opéra Bastille

Award-winning ballet by Pierre Lacotte
Paquita ballet pierre lacotte palais garnier opera bastille tickets
Opéra Bastille

Until January 4, 2025

No dialogue

Location

Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats

Duration

2 h 05 min

With intermission


Details

Ballet

For all audiences

No dialogue


HIGHLIGHTS: PAQUITA

Thanks to the Paris Opéra, travelling to Spain is as easy as settling comfortably into a cosy armchair at the Opéra Bastille and letting yourself be carried away by Pierre Lacotte's sensational ballet, Paquita.

 

Crafted with true care and passion, this ballet is a meticulous reconstruction and faithful adaptation of the original classical ballet, created by Joseph Mazilier in 1846 at the Paris Opéra and set to music by Edmé-Marie-Ernest-Deldevez. Pierre Lacotte, renowned choreographer and dance historian, has undertaken the ambitious task of bringing this iconic work back to life. In his version of Paquita, Lacotte has drawn upon extensive research into historical archives and original manuscripts to recreate the choreography and sets with ultimate authenticity, faithful to the style of the period. He has also worked with dance historians and costume experts to ensure the accuracy of every detail — truly, the passion imbued into this project is palpable.

 

The choreographer has ensured that every movement and every dance step reflects the technique and aesthetic of 19th-century classical ballet. The soloists' variations and the grand pas de deux between the main characters, Paquita and Lucien, are executed with a virtuosity and grace that will have audiences enraptured. A beautiful tribute to the tradition and elegance of Romantic ballet, The sets and costumes are also carefully designed to recreate the atmosphere of 19th-century Spain, complete with sumptuous details and exotic touches. Every visual element transports the spectator to another time and place, wherein love, honour, and the spirit of adventure reign supreme.

 

Paquita by Pierre Lacotte has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its beauty, historical accuracy, and contribution to preserving the heritage of classical ballet. Experience another time from the comfort of the Opéra Bastille this opera season!

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

PREMIUM OPTION AND EXPERIENCE at Opéra Bastille

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 offer 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 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.

STORY: PAQUITA

Plunging the spectator into picturesque 19th-century Spain, the story of Paquita follows the footsteps of a young gypsy girl who discovers her noble ancestry and falls in love with the French officer Lucien d'Hervilly.

 

In this version, the Spanish essence is evoked with magnificence through exotic sets, flamboyant costumes, and bold dances. Pierre Lacotte's choreography captures all the energy and passion of Spanish culture, with flamenco movements and exhilarating rhythms. The sets immerse the spectators in the bustling streets of Spain, while the costumes recall the country's rich traditions of dress. Every visual detail transports the audience into a world of adventure and romance, wherein love and honour intertwine and coalesce with explosive vivacity.

 

All in all, Paquita by Pierre Lacotte is a celebration of the spirit of Spain and cleverly captures the very essence of this rich and colourful culture through the grace and beauty of classical ballet. Experience it for yourself!

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Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the 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: 2,745
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
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

FAQ

How do I get to Opéra Bastille in the 12th arrondissement of Paris ?

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by:
Metro: Line 1 (station Bastille), line 5 (station Bastille), line 8 (station Bastille)
RER: Line A (station Gare de Lyon)
Address: 120 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to Opéra Bastille?

We invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of Paquita, and present your voucher at the front desk. Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
The concert hall’s doors close 15 minutes after the start of the performance 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 opera house 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.

How long does the ballet, Paquita, last?

The ballet Paquita by Pierre Lacotte playing at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, with intermission.

Is Paquita for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille welcomes audiences from all over the world! Dance is a universal language, therefore, the ballet Paquita is accessible to anyone from any corner of the world.

Is there a dress code at Opéra Bastille?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Bastille, but proper attire is appreciated. Feel free to dress to impress and reflect the fabulous contemporary architecture at Opéra Bastille!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

No, unfortunately it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for Paquita. However, you can choose the category and we will allocate you the best seats in the chosen category!
Please note that 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.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

 

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.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.

What is included with my premium ticket at Opéra Bastille?

The Premium tickets are our most exclusive package and include seating in category Optima, the best category in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Berlioz.

 

Your programme: At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, on the 2nd and 4th floors.
Your glass of champagne: 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 1st floor, at the right of the entrance to the Opéra Bastille. It is accessible by elevator or by stairs.

I bought premium tickets for Paquita and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for Paquita include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so the Paris Opera 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 Paris Opera. After the tickets are confirmed, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera has to manage, this process usually takes two business days but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.