- Make like the Phantom and scour the place that inspired Gaston Leroux's, The Phantom of the Opera, on your own
- Uncover hidden nooks and crannies, see temporary exhibitions, and admire the sweeping Grand Staircase
- See the auditorium's famous Chagall ceiling and the seven-ton chandelier that hangs from its center
By 1830, the grand opera was in vogue. While this new form of opera was just as bold and grandiose as the opera of Louis XIV, it also differed greatly. Gone was the retelling of ancient legends, and nigh were the scenes from Renaissance frescoes coming to life on stage.
Le Grand Opera has pulled together documents that are testament to the opera's popularity from 1828 up to 1867. Across five studies and a number of focus points, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the elements of opera, from the voices of the era that defined it, to revolutions that shaped the art form. Trace history even down to the destroyed Opéra Le Peletier building that influenced the Opéra Garnier.
Opéra Garnier (or Palais Garnier) is a Parisian icon. For locals, this opulent opera and ballet house is as much a part of the cultural fabric of the city as Notre Dame, the Louvre, or the Eiffel Tower. To everyone else, it's the setting for The Phantom of the Opera. Perhaps the most beautiful opera house in the world, Opéra Garnier is full of history. Take a self-guided tour of the home of the music (of the niiight).
From swinging chandeliers and a marble imperial staircase to a Grand Foyer and a 2,000-seat auditorium, make like the aristocratic guests of yesteryear and explore Opéra Garnier at your own leisure!
Charles Garnier designed the opera house for Emperor Napoleon III, but construction was held up by unusually high groundwater levels. As a solution, a series of cisterns were built to redistribute the water. This gave way to speculations of an eerie subterranean lake under Opéra Garnier. Tourists aren't allowed into the waterways of the Phantom's lair, but considering how it turned out in Leroux's novel, maybe that's for the best.
However, there are still many nooks and crannies to explore in one of the world's largest opera houses. Be impressed by the facade with its rose-marble columns, baroque statues, and intricately carved friezes. Admire the seven-tonne crystal chandelier, which is shrouded in controversy. Make sure to look up – the ceilings are littered with paintings – and pop into a temporary exhibition to make the most out of your visit!
- Show your smartphone ticket at the entrance, after the security check
- Please take the entrance at the corner of Rue Scribe and Rue Auber
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closure
- Cancellations are not possible for this ticket
- Changes are not possible for this ticket
Getting There:
Take any public transport that stops at Opéra Garnier.
