Palais Garnier Facade and Haussmann Urban Axis

Arrival at the Palais Garnier is a script: approach, pause, ascend. Haussmann’s boulevards function as introductory acts, funneling views to the opera’s proscenium facade.

🎭 Arrival as Choreography

• The forecourt is a social stage.
• Stair flights create beats: ground → podium → portal.
• Lighting turns the facade into nighttime scenery.

📏 Sightline Geometry

For a clear facade read, the eye height $h$ and distance $d$ set a comfortable viewing angle $ heta$:

$$ heta approx arctan!left(rac{H_ ext{cornice} - h}{d} ight)$$

Aim for $ heta in [12^{circ},,18^{circ}]$ to read orders and statues without distortion.

The city is the overture; the foyer is the first act.

Walk the block; the facade changes character with each corner.