Paris Opera House: Scale Architectual Paper Model [Paperback]

Jean-William Hanoteau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1987

A precision three-dimensional paper model of the " Palace of Dancing ", built by Charles Garnier in 1861, one of the largest Opera houses in the world and the architectural symbol of. its era. The model is built in sections that can be taken apart to reveal the building interior. An illustrated text gives historical information and step by step instructions for assembly, in English, French, German and Italian. There are 30 colored sheets to cut-out in order to build the model (scale 1:250, base 15 x 25 inches, height 10 inches).

Product Details

• Paperback: 76 pages
• Publisher: Paper Models International (1987)
• Language: French
• ISBN-10: 286404028X
• ISBN-13: 978-2864040286
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,835,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic look at the Palais Garnier, May 13, 2005

By 

C. Greene - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paris Opera House: Scale Architectual Paper Model (Paperback)

This is a fairly complex and beautifully designed paper model, and if you have an interest in the Palais Garnier, in architecture, or just like working on something detailed, then I highly recommend it (although you will hopefully have a place to display it - it's going to be too big to fit on a bookshelf). The artistic features of the building have been painstakingly drawn in, and the gilded areas have been printed in metallic gold. The paper used is a good, high quality thick white stock. The finished model splits apart down the middle and across the front to show a flat interior on one side and 3-D interiors on the other. You do need patience, and a table top that won't be disturbed. I highly recommend using a "tacky" white craft glue - it sets quickly (which is a huge help here) and holds well. A hobby knife with spare blades and metal ruler are a must; a cutting matt is a good idea. I found flat wooden toothpicks and cotton swabs invaluable for both spreading glue and cleaning extraneous blobs out of tight spots.

The instructions merit a mild warning. On the very last page of the instructions is a crucial guide to the cutting and folding symbols that you'll want to refer to - in my opinion, this really should have been up front as it's easy to miss, and it's important. Next, each page of building components is clearly labeled A, B, C, etc. and each piece is numbered (A1, A2, etc.). For the first half of the model, the instructions detail each step carefully, but when you finish, it then simply says "do the same for the second half", except none of the numbered parts corresponds to how the twin component in the first half was numbered. I did the two halves fairly close together and was able to recall the sequence of steps, but my recommendation is unless you have a very good memory, do the two halves simultaneously. Furthermore, beware that while components for one building section (i.e., entrance, library, roof) were all on the same page in the first half, for the second half they are somewhat intermixed to efficiently utilize the space on the printed page. A last note on what windows get cut out - there are little scissor symbols on the page showing what windows get cut out vs. left solid, but if you compare the photographs of the finished piece you'll see that sometimes more gets cut out than is indicated.

Good luck and happy gluing - go slowly and carefully. The finished model is well worth the trouble.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great model but not at the price listed here, November 19, 2010

By 

D. Jackson "rhett6" (California USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opera De Paris (Palais Garnier) (L'Instant Durable, No 14) (Paperback)

A wonderful paper model of Garnier's glorious Paris Opera, exterior and interior.
Fun and enjoyable but time consuming to cut out and assemble, but worth it.
Go to the L'instant Durable site online to purchase this model.Plus
take a look at the other incredible paper model offerings.
The price quoted here is ridiculous.
Should be about 30 Euros plus shipping (12 euros to the US).

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Model Kit!!!!, November 11, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Paris Opera House: Scale Architectual Paper Model (Paperback)

Excellent model kit. Ever since I've been to Paris in 5th grade, I just fell in love with its architecture. These models bring home Paris to your room! MUST BUY!