The vestibules act as a place where one can collect oneself and converse with others prior to making one’s debut on the Grand Staircase. Garnier intended for these areas to be places of transit and used scenographic elements to draw season ticket holders out towards the main social space, where they would mix with the single ticket holders (fig. 3). However, it is the appearance of the two primary vestibules that shows a marked distinction between the two entrances. Both rooms share an austere quality in comparison to the dazzling Grand Staircase, but the Vestibule des Abonnés is a distinctly more sumptuous space. The Vestibule des Abonnés’ use of rich materials (e.g. polychromatic mosaics, red Jura stone columns and mirrored niches) provides a stark contrast to the monochromatic arcade and statues of the Grand Vestibule, which seems plain by comparison. While one would be correct to state that separate entrances for the pedestrians and the carriages were needed for purely logistical reasons, the need for separate vestibules and the disparity between the cost of the two vestibules creates a distinction between those who could afford season tickets and those who could not. It was Garnier’s intent that this feeling of separation would diminish when these two groups would meet at the foot of the Grand
The vestibules act as a place where one can collect oneself and converse with others prior to making one’s debut on the Grand Staircase. Garnier intended for these areas to be places of transit and used scenographic elements to draw season ticket holders out towards the main social space, where they would mix with the single ticket holders (fig. 3). However, it is the appearance of the two primary vestibules that shows a marked distinction between the two entrances. Both rooms share an austere quality in comparison to the dazzling Grand Staircase, but the Vestibule des Abonnés is a distinctly more sumptuous space. The Vestibule des Abonnés’ use of rich materials (e.g. polychromatic mosaics, red Jura stone columns and mirrored niches) provides a stark contrast to the monochromatic arcade and statues of the Grand Vestibule, which seems plain by comparison. While one would be correct to state that separate entrances for the pedestrians and the carriages were needed for purely logistical reasons, the need for separate vestibules and the disparity between the cost of the two vestibules creates a distinction between those who could afford season tickets and those who could not. It was Garnier’s intent that this feeling of separation would diminish when these two groups would meet at the foot of the Grand