Discover Paris
Palais Garnier

monument

Palais Garnier

Second Empire jewel by Charles Garnier (1875), setting of the Phantom of the Opera.

Visit duration
1h30
Best time
Morning
Metro
Opéra (3, 7, 8)
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History & context

Commissioned by Napoleon III as part of Haussmann's transformation, the Palais Garnier was designed by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 — the most opulent 19th-century theatre.

Polychrome marble, gilding and sculpture cover its surfaces. The auditorium ceiling, repainted by Marc Chagall in 1964, hangs above an 8-tonne chandelier.

This mythical setting inspired Gaston Leroux's «Phantom of the Opera» (1910).

Key facts

Built
1861–1875
Architect
Charles Garnier
Style
Beaux-Arts (Second Empire)
District
9th — Opéra

Why visit

  • ·The grand marble staircase — a stage in itself
  • ·The gilded grand foyer, Paris's answer to Versailles
  • ·The Chagall ceiling and monumental chandelier
  • ·A façade alive with sculpture
  • ·Watch an opera or ballet performance

What to see

  • ·Marble grand staircase
  • ·Grand foyer
  • ·Chagall ceiling
  • ·Auditorium

Practical tips

  • ·Self-guided or guided tour
  • ·Catch a performance if you can

Best photo spots

  • ·Place de l'Opéra at night, lit façade.
  • ·Galeries Lafayette rooftop — a rare view of the Opera.
  • ·The grand staircase from the first mezzanine.

Good to know

  • ·Self-guided or guided tour — booking advised in peak season.
  • ·On rehearsal days some rooms close without notice.
  • ·Hours and prices may change: check operadeparis.fr.
  • ·Smart attire appreciated for performances.

Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.

Frequently asked

＋Can I visit without seeing a show?
Yes, the Opéra Garnier can be visited during the day as a monument, independently of the evening performances.
＋How much time should I plan?
About 1 to 1.5 hours for the grand staircase, the foyer and the library-museum on a self-guided visit.
＋Can I see the auditorium and its Chagall ceiling?
Access to the auditorium depends on that day's rehearsals and performances; it's not guaranteed, so check ahead if that's your priority.

Itineraries with this place

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