European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 03, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                France continued from Page 3 Borders in fact one was japanese the other Argentine. Still they had the attitude and so did their listeners. Up and Down the Block there was thai food fish and chips an ersatz american diner the iguana cafe Rio Grande the Del Rio cafe1 and half a dozen bistros. The neighbourhood was very old before. In the buildings a lot of labourers and furniture businesses. Now As Paris becomes More expensive they rebuild the hotels and the restaurants said Rudolphe Leroux a neighbourhood resident for most of his 23 years. As Leroux spoke he stood in the modest lobby of the Liber Tel Bastille yet another sign of the Bastille s resurgence. An aged hotel property the site was sold renovated and then reopened in March 1993 As a crowded but clean lodging with prices that Young travellers can afford Well under $100 nightly. As such developments Progress some worry that the loft dwellers who helped spark the neighbourhood s new Energy will Allbe driven out. But that s not going to slow anything Down " y every month there is something new opening said Michel Arnaud proprietor of be Pavilion Bastille a striking postmodern hotel around the Corner on Rue de  in May 1991, hoping to draw patrons of the sophisticated new opera House that had officially opened on the place de la Bastille and says he s been so pleased that he s considering another hotel venture on the other Side of the july Monument. Near the Bastille me Tro Stop meanwhile City planners have seized another Opportunity. Between Boulevard Bourdon and Boulevard de la Bastille where the Waters of the canal St. Martin emerge from their underground course toward the Seine City officials in the mid-1980s created a pleasure boat Harbor. It s known As the port de Plaisance de Paris Arsenal and includes about 200 slips. But the biggest opening in the neighbourhood s last decade hands Down has been the hulking o Pera House that stands Nea r the Fop Tori n t of the old prison. The opera de la Bastille is undeniably striking and v modern. From anywhere around the place de la Bastille you can t look up without confronting a Broad curving face of Glass and Metal rectangles. Inside is a Stark 2,700 seat main auditorium covertly served by All manner of stage hydraulics and modern theatrical technology. Early on in the project there was much talk about making this an opera House for the masses. As it worked out it s an opera House for those among the masses who care to pay $24-$104 for a reserved seat though those who appear at the door have a Chance at gallery seats for about $11. ,. La. Times Christopher Reynolds the Bistro de Bofinger on the Rue de la Bastille is one of Many eateries in the Bastille District above. The modern opera Bastille is flanked by cafes and restaurants left. La. Times Christopher Reynolds 4 stripes Magazine november 3, 1594