It's a historic monument in a class of its own. An architectural marvel nestled in the heart of the Grands Boulevards. The Paris Opera, built in the 19th century by the brilliant architect Charles Garnier, continues to dazzle Parisians and visitors alike. Its grandiose facade, sublime ceiling by Chagall, Italian-style stage and iconic grand staircase are all awe-inspiring.
Guided tour of the Opéra Garnier in Paris
Did you know that the Palais Garnier is the thirteenth theatre to house the Paris Opera, since its creation in 1669 by Louis XIV? As part of the transformation of Paris under the Second Empire, Napoleon III ordered its construction.
Charles Garnier, an unknown 35-year-old architect at the time, won the contract to build the palace. Construction lasted 15 years (from 1860 to 1875), but was interrupted several times (notably by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the fall of the First Empire). It was finally inaugurated on 15 January 1875.
The exterior façade
Charles Garnier saw this façade as the most emblematic part of his Palais. It suggests festivity (through the profusion of shapes and colours) and emphasises the sacred nature of the monument through a fine statuary of Allegories (Harmony, Instrumental Music, Idyll, Cantata, Song, Drama, Dance and Lyric Drama). The Palais Garnier's frontispiece bears the Arts celebrated inside the building.
The Grand Staircase
For Charles Garnier, this staircase was the true heart of his theatre. He skilfully played on the dramatic contrast between the low-ceilinged galleries and vestibule and this 30-metre-high monument. From the painted ceilings, Apollo, Orpheus and Olympus seem to be sending visitors a message...
The Grand Foyer
Garnier conceived it as a place for spectators to stroll around during the interval. In this gallery, there is a profusion of sculptures, gilding, paintings and chandeliers. Garnier drew his inspiration here from the galleries of the castles of the time. The Grand Foyer is illuminated by ten chandeliers, visible from the Avenue de l'Opéra. And if you look up, you can even admire the ceilings by Paul Baudry.
The Subscribers' Rotunda
This circular vestibule, located exactly below the auditorium, was used to welcome spectators arriving by car. The floor of the Subscribers' Rotunda is decorated with magnificent marble mosaics. In the centre of the Rotunda stands La Pythonisse. In Greek mythology, the Pythia was a priestess of Apollo who would go into frightening trances to deliver oracles. This mythological figure underlines the gravity and nobility of lyrical art: showing human destiny on stage.
The stage
At the time of its construction, this Italian-style stage was the largest in the world: 49 metres wide by 26 metres deep (i.e. 1,350 m²) and 72 metres high. At the time, the Palais Garnier was intended for grand romantic opera and its great historical frescoes (before the decline of the genre). The capacity of the dressing rooms (538 seats) testifies to the gigantic stage designs of the period.
The auditorium
This is the heart of the theatre. After studying all the great halls of Europe, Garnier concluded that this horseshoe shape was the best way to reconcile the conflicting demands of acoustics and vision.
The original ceiling, painted in 1872 by Eugène Lenepveu, depicted Le Triomphe de la Beauté. In 1960, at the request of André Malraux (Minister of Cultural Affairs), it was covered by a ceiling by Marc Chagall. It evokes great opera composers in a highly colourful universe. A true marvel!
Good to know:
The Paris Opera is offering an Immersive Game within its walls. A cross between an escape game and an immersive journey, the game invites you to decipher riddles in the footsteps of Arsène Lupin.
Read also:
The Opéra Garnier in 7 unusual anecdotes
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By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
