Arrive in Paris on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join your tour leader Antony Ernst and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing at the hotel, followed by dinner.

(D)

Begin the day with a talk by Antony on this evening’s performance. Then, enjoy a guided backstage tour of the Palais Garnier, a magnificent theatre commissioned by Napoleon III and built by the architect Charles Garnier. Explore the 19th-century architectural masterpiece, including the lavish gold-leaf Grand Foyer, dominating Grand Staircase and impressive auditorium.

Afterwards, see The Ring Revolution at Palais Garnier, an exhibition specially curated as part of the Ring Festival in Paris, that presents the cultural and political context in which the Ring took root and its enduring legacy in the arts.

In the evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille for a performance of Das Rheingold, the prelude to Der Ring des Nibelungen. Watch Alberich, sung by Brian Mulligan, steal the gold from the Rhinemaidens, and hear Christopher Maltman in the role of Wotan, the father of the gods.

(BL)

After a talk by Antony, the remainder of the morning is at leisure to relax or to explore Paris at your own pace.

In the afternoon, return to the Opéra Bastille for a performance of Die Walküre. French tenor Stanislas de Barbeyrac and South African soprano Elza van den Heever appear as Siegmund and Sieglinde respectively. Acclaimed Wagner soprano Tamara Wilson takes to the stage as Brünnhilde.

(B)

After breakfast, discover the Hotel de la Marine, the former home of the Ministry of the Navy, which underwent a major renovation between 2017 and 2021. Enjoy a private tour of the building, where historic events, including a ball honouring the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804 and the drafting of France’s decree abolishing slavery in 1848, took place.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, drive to the Opéra Bastille for a private, guided backstage tour of this modern opera house. Designed by Carlos Ott, it can seat 2,723 people, with a main theatre, concert hall and studio theatre, making it the largest opera house in Europe. Inaugurated in 1989 as part of one of President François Mitterrand’s architectural projects, it became the main home of the Paris National Opera.

Tonight, enjoy a dinner cruise along the Seine as the city lights up.

(BL)

Following a pre-performance talk by Antony, walk to the Richelieu Library and appreciate its collections of precious objects and artworks on a private, guided tour. Originally the palace of Cardinal Mazarin, it became the site of the King’s Library in 1721. Reopened in 2022 after 12 years of renovations and modernisation, it now incorporates a research library, and a museum.

This evening, attend a performance of Siegfried at the Opéra Bastille. Austrian tenor Andreas Schager performs the role of Siegfried and Brünnhilde is again sung by Tamara Wilson.

(B)

Today is at leisure to relax or to further explore this vibrant city at your own pace. Perhaps visit one of its many notable museums, wander around a charming neighbourhood such as the Montmartre, shop at designer boutique stores or simply enjoy its bustling café culture.

(B)

In the morning, travel to the outskirts of Paris to visit Chateau de Fontainebleau, one of the largest French royal chateaus that served as a hunting lodge and autumn residence for many French monarchs, including Louis VII, Henry II, Napoleon I and Napoleon III. Filled with artworks, it became a national museum in 1927 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for its unique architecture and historical importance.

Enjoy lunch at the Chateau before returning to Paris for a free evening.

(BL)

Start the day with a pre-performance talk by Antony, followed by a special farewell lunch with Antony and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, return to the Opéra Bastille for the grand finale of the monumental Ring Cycle with a performance of Götterdämmerüng. The stellar cast features Irish soprano Sinéad Campbell-Wallace as Gutrune, Finnish bass Mika Kares as Hagen and Swiss mezzo-soprano Ève-Maud Hubeaux in the role of Waltraute.

(B)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Paris Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)