| The 2nd arrondissement is located on the right | | | | Peletier) is a street named after the Theatre de |
| bank of the Seine River. It is Paris's smallest | | | | l'Academie Royale de Musique, known more |
| arrondissement, less than 0.4 square miles (slightly | | | | commonly as the Paris Opera, which burned down |
| under a square kilometer). While its population falls | | | | in 1873. In 1875 the theatre was replaced by the |
| short of twenty thousand, this district provides | | | | Palais Garnier, a theatre now known as the Paris |
| over sixty thousand jobs, the highest job density | | | | Opera. |
| in the city. It is home to all of Paris's remaining | | | | Built on the site of the city's old ramparts, the |
| glazed commercial arcades; pedestrian passages | | | | Grands Boulevards extend in a long arc from the |
| open at both ends with a glass and iron roof. This | | | | Eglise de la Madeleine (Church of the Madeleine) in |
| Parisian invention, actually an adaptation of Oriental | | | | the west to the Bastille in the east. They were |
| bazaars and souks, forms a miniature city free | | | | once the hangout for Paris's upper crust and jet |
| from the noise of horse-drawn carriages, | | | | setters (more precisely Boulevard strollers) and |
| speeding taxis, and inclement weather. Remember | | | | still are a distinctive, often lively part of the city. |
| when these arcades were built mostly in the | | | | The actual street name changes from Boulevard |
| 1820s and 1830s sidewalks were a rare | | | | Madeleine, to Boulevard des Capucines, to |
| commodity. In these arcades window-shopping | | | | Boulevard des Italiens, to Boulevard Montmartre, |
| developed into yet another Parisian art form. | | | | to Boulevard Poissoniere, to Boulevard Bonne |
| They evolved (degenerated) into the suburban | | | | Nouvelle, and finally to Boulevard St. Denis from |
| shopping center. Make sure to visit at least one | | | | west to east. As you proceed from west to east |
| arcade to get a taste of Paris in the good old | | | | the boulevards tend to get poorer and perhaps |
| days. | | | | more interesting. Of course with all the |
| The Passage des Panoramas running off | | | | redevelopment the situation is constantly changing. |
| Boulevard Montmartre is of the earliest arcades, | | | | What other city boasts a given street, avenue, or |
| dating back to 1799. It was the first public area in | | | | boulevard with seven names? |
| Paris to enjoy gas lighting. On the other side of | | | | Of course you don't want to be in Paris without |
| Boulevard Montmartre you'll find the more upscale | | | | sampling fine French wine and food. In my article I |
| Passage Jouffroy, restored about twenty years | | | | Love French Wine and Food - A Red Beaujolais I |
| ago, a lovely mall that includes two very special | | | | reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample |
| stores for young children. | | | | menu: Start with Andouillette (Pork Tripe |
| The Opera-Comique (Comic Opera) is a | | | | Sausage). For your second course savor Poulet |
| world-famous opera company located in the Place | | | | de Bresse (Bresse Chicken). And as dessert |
| Boieldieu, near the Paris Stock Exchange. It was | | | | indulge yourself with Ile Flottante (Floating Island |
| established in 1714 to promote French opera in | | | | Meringue). Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) |
| competition with the prevailing Italian opera of the | | | | will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to |
| day. In spite of its name, not all the productions | | | | accompany each course. |
| were comic opera, especially during the Nineteenth | | | | Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books |
| Century. The current building was built in 1898, | | | | on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, |
| making it the oldest standing opera house in Paris. | | | | he would rather just drink fine German, Italian, or |
| Two previous buildings burnt in 1838 and 1887. Its | | | | other wine, accompanied by the right foods and |
| great composers included Bizet and Berlioz. The | | | | the right people. He knows what dieting is, and is |
| Opera-Comique was the site of the first | | | | glad that for the time being he can eat and drink |
| production of Bizet's Carmen in 1875 initially | | | | what he wants, in moderation. He teaches various |
| considered quite a failure. It was also the premiere | | | | and sundry classes in computers at an Ontario |
| of the only Debussy opera, Pelleas et Melisande in | | | | French-language community college. Visit his new |
| 1902. | | | | wine, diet, health, and nutrition website and his |
| The Avenue de l'Opera (also known as the | | | | Italian wine website . |
| Passage de l'Opera, or as Le Rue Peletier or Le | | | | |