Paris Opera House
(Palais Garnier)
There has never been an opera house as extravagant and opulent as the Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier is an opera house that was built to seat 1,979 guests. Construction started in 1861 and finished 14 years later in 1875. Originally called the Salle des Capucines, it was renamed Palais Garnier to celebrate its grandeur and its architect, Charles Garnier. Today it is mainly used to host ballet productions and is no longer the primary home of the Paris Opera since the Opera Bastille opened in 1989 with the ability to seat 2,700 guests.
Palais Garnier was the scene for the famous screenplay, The Phantom of the Opera, which was originally written by Gaston Leroux and later adapted to a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1986. This fact alone makes the Palais Garnier worth seeing if you have any love of opera and the stage.
Palais Garnier was commissioned as part of the reconstruction of Paris that was initiated by Emperor Napoleon III. The actual design of the opera house was created by Charles Garnier who won the architectural competition on May 29th 1861. The competition was in two phases. The first phase was out of 171 applicants which Charles won 5th place in narrowly becoming one of the 5 finalist competing for the second phase. In the second phase he improved greatly to first place while the winner of the first competition did worse. Charles Garnier's design was chosen for being the best and most simplistic, clear, logical and grandeur thanks to all the unique and superior qualities presented in his plans for the beautiful opera house. Garnier had to design a double foundation to accommodate the basement area because the ground water levels on the site were too high to allow the site to drain properly. This high level of ground water brought about a legend that the Palais Garnier was built on an underground lake, a concept used by Gaston Leroux in his novel and screenplay.
Palais Garnier is home to the world famous crystal and bronze chandelier that hangs in the centre or the Opera House. This massive chandelier's weight of seven tons and cost 30,000 gold francs. In 1896 one of the counterweights for the chandelier fell killing one of the workers. This very unfortunate accident was the result of the inspiration that Gaston Leroux used in his famous novel the Phantom of the Opera.
It took until 2011 for a restaurant to open and operate successfully in the Palais Garnier. Three previous attempts failed. The Palace didn't even have electricity installed until 1969. A restoration project was started in 1994 and only completed in 2007.
There has never been an opera house as extravagant and opulent as the Palais Garnier. Walking into the entrance hall and being confronted with the Grand Staircase made from solid white Italian marble is enough to astound even the most affluent visitors.
Nearby attraction: Musee Grevin
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Address: Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: 01 40 07 00 43
Official Website: Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier)
Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier) Reviews
Rated out of 5
Opera house in Paris is an amazing building very well maintained. We did not take a guide, but we bought tickets in advance which I advise you to do. Interior of the building looks really nice. You can also have a look the theater areas which are cool as well. Good experience and I recommend you to visit the place.
Honor - 2 months ago
A truly beautiful and elegant place, perfect for photography. I would highly recommend visiting with a guide, as learning the stories and history behind each room and detail makes the experience much more meaningful.
The only downside is that the areas open for the self-guided tour are relatively small, and when it gets crowded, it can be difficult to move around comfortably or take personal photos. Other than that, it’s a wonderful place to visit and admire.
Safiya MH - 2 months ago
Palais Garnier is one of Paris’s most breathtaking architectural landmarks and a must-visit for lovers of history, art, and classical music. Built in the 19th century, the opera house is famous for its grand Beaux-Arts design, featuring an opulent marble staircase, gilded balconies, crystal chandeliers, and richly decorated ceilings.
The interior is spectacular, especially the Grand Staircase and the auditorium with its massive chandelier and Marc Chagall ceiling painting. Even visitors who do not attend a performance often find the self-guided tour worthwhile because every room feels elegant and theatrical. The building’s connection to The Phantom of the Opera also adds to its mystique and popularity.
Performances here, including ballet and opera, are known for their high quality and unforgettable atmosphere. Acoustics are excellent, and seeing a show inside such a historic venue makes the experience even more special.
Crowds can be heavy during peak tourist hours, and some areas may occasionally be closed due to rehearsals or events. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended for both performances and daytime visits.
Palais Garnier is highly recommended for anyone visiting Paris, whether for architecture, photography, cultural history, or simply experiencing one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses.
Share Share - 2 months ago
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Ornately decorated with many displays of costumes worn throughout the centuries.
Every level hosts busts of all the individuals who were attached to the opera in varying artistic ways. Ie: dancers , choreographers, singers , composers, architects & decorators to name a few..
Murals , paintings and incredible sculptures which line the walls really show the opulence of Paris & French culture.
A definite must see👍👍👍👍👍
Karlan Stephenson - 2 months ago
Amazing building and very well maintained. We have bought tickets in advance in order to avoid waiting in lines, but there was no big line actually, at least when we arrived. You can see one of the halls where the performace is happening and it truly seems great. I would recommend going to actually watch Opera performace, as that should be very exciting.
Travel Reviews - 2 months ago
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M3, 7 or 8 | Opera | 1 minute |
| M9 | Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette Station | 2 minutes |
| M12 or 14 | Madeleine | 9 minutes |
| RER A | Auber | 3 minutes |
How to get to Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier) by Metro / RER
By Metro: Exiting Metro Line 3, 7 or 8 at Opera Station places you directly in front of Palais Garnier. From Metro Line 9 exit at Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette and walk south on Rue Haievy to the entrance. From Metro Line 12 or 14 take the Place de la Madeleine exit from Madeleine Station Madeleine and walk straight ahead on Place de la Madeleine to Boulevard de la Madeleine and go left. Continue straight to the entrance of the Opera House.
By RER: Take the RER A to Auber Station; exit and go left along Rue Auber to the entrance (3 minutes).
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Photo Gallery
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Stunning interior of the Palais Garnier cc licensed photo by Panoramas -
Photo Credit: corno.fulgur75 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: corno.fulgur75 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ninara - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ninara - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: string_bass_dave - cc license via Flickr
