Home > Paris Attractions > Places of Interest > Opera De Paris - Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier is the thirteenth theatre to house the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV in 1669. A supremely beautiful building, the Paris Opera House was designed by the architect Charles Garnier and built between 1860 and 1875.

Despite numerous problems, such as the outbreak of war and the fall of the empire, the building was inaugurated on 15th January 1875.

The most famous and impressive feature of the Palais Garnier is the grand staircase, which must be one of the most opulent staircases in existence. Built from different coloured marble the double staircase leads from the foyer to the auditorium. It adds to the romance and glamour of them to think that this was once the ultimate place for socialites to be seen in all their fashionable glory.

The overall effect of the building is one of stunning extravagance and 18th century decadence. The foyers were designed not simply as foyers but to give the audience somewhere to people-watch and stroll during the interval, they are magnificently decorated with mosaics, mirrors and sculpture.

The Palais Garnier is also home to a small gallery which hosts exhibitions as well as a permanent exhibition of the sets of operas from its history.

The auditorium itself is a magnificent spectacle, the ceiling, painted by Chagall and lit by a spectacular crystal chandelier, is a magically evocative and apt work by which Ernest Hemmingway was fascinated.

The stunning Palais Garnier captures the magic of the theatre brilliantly and seems to retain something of the epic performances and social dramas that must have played out here. See the grandeur of the Paris opera with your Paris Pass!