To solve this problem, Garnier installed seven steam pumps, which
sucked up water day and night for two months. These pumps dried
out all the wells in the area, much to the displeasure of the local
residents. Garnier said:
"What worried me the most was the fear that, in removing the water
from the surrounding siliceous layer, t would only pack down this
layer, but would have an effect on the neighbouring houses. I made
more than one discreet visit to these houses to see if there had been
any adverse effects but luckily there were none.I think if I had begun
the Opera by demolishing these private buildings, they would never
have let me finish it!"
With the provisional drying out of the foundations, he constructed two
concrete shafts, one inside the other. In this way, the large shaft,
which was in direct contact with the saturated subsoil, was
completely isolated from the smaller one. The space between the two
meant that it was always possible to stop any floods seeping through
the walls of the larger shaft, and the bottom of the stage did not run
the risk of being "transformed into mushroom beds and swamps!".
The level of the water is constantly checked in case of any abnormal
fluctuations.
A pumping system is used to empty the reservoir in order to repair and
seal off any leak.
Garnier's daring project led of rumours of the existence of an
underground river, the Grange-Bateliere, which flows beneath the
building, as well as the presence of a big lake.
The space between the two shafts creates a giant vaulted
underground room, supported by pillars. Access to this room is gained
through a trap-door beneath the stage. Garnier flooded part of this
area o a specific level in order to balance the external pressure of the
ground water. He suggested that this room might be used as a large
water reserve in case of fire.
Today, is used to train the divers for the Paris fire brigade.
One of the most curious things in Opera cellars is the huge rotunda in
the third floor beneath the stage. This rotunda, makes an effect of big
echo which rebound any sound achieving more audible power. That's
why the stage is only three floors upon it: the effect in the voices is
wonderful.
Next photos have been added with the permission of his author.
Don't take them without this permission:
To see more photos taken at the cellars, click here.
sucked up water day and night for two months. These pumps dried
out all the wells in the area, much to the displeasure of the local
residents. Garnier said:
"What worried me the most was the fear that, in removing the water
from the surrounding siliceous layer, t would only pack down this
layer, but would have an effect on the neighbouring houses. I made
more than one discreet visit to these houses to see if there had been
any adverse effects but luckily there were none.I think if I had begun
the Opera by demolishing these private buildings, they would never
have let me finish it!"
With the provisional drying out of the foundations, he constructed two
concrete shafts, one inside the other. In this way, the large shaft,
which was in direct contact with the saturated subsoil, was
completely isolated from the smaller one. The space between the two
meant that it was always possible to stop any floods seeping through
the walls of the larger shaft, and the bottom of the stage did not run
the risk of being "transformed into mushroom beds and swamps!".
The level of the water is constantly checked in case of any abnormal
fluctuations.
A pumping system is used to empty the reservoir in order to repair and
seal off any leak.
Garnier's daring project led of rumours of the existence of an
underground river, the Grange-Bateliere, which flows beneath the
building, as well as the presence of a big lake.
The space between the two shafts creates a giant vaulted
underground room, supported by pillars. Access to this room is gained
through a trap-door beneath the stage. Garnier flooded part of this
area o a specific level in order to balance the external pressure of the
ground water. He suggested that this room might be used as a large
water reserve in case of fire.
Today, is used to train the divers for the Paris fire brigade.
One of the most curious things in Opera cellars is the huge rotunda in
the third floor beneath the stage. This rotunda, makes an effect of big
echo which rebound any sound achieving more audible power. That's
why the stage is only three floors upon it: the effect in the voices is
wonderful.
Next photos have been added with the permission of his author.
Don't take them without this permission:
To see more photos taken at the cellars, click here.
Next photos were taken by me in one of my trips to Paris when I could
visit Opera's cellars.
Don't take them without my permission:
visit Opera's cellars.
Don't take them without my permission:
Next photos are took by G. Carmine.
Don't take them without my permission:
Don't take them without my permission:
