Music · Paris, Île-de-France
Palais Garnier
The opulent 19th-century opera house of the Opéra national de Paris.
The Palais Garnier was built between 1861 and 1875 for the Paris Opera, designed by the young architect Charles Garnier after he won an open competition. Its lavish marble, gilding, sculpture and painting became the signature look of Napoleon III's Second Empire, and the building marks its 150th anniversary in 2026.
Today it is one of the two stages of the Opéra national de Paris and mainly presents ballet, along with some opera and concerts. Visitors can tour the grand staircase and foyers. When rehearsals allow, they can also see the horseshoe-shaped auditorium with its great chandelier and the ceiling Marc Chagall painted in 1964.
Highlights
- Marble grand staircase
- Grand Foyer with its painted ceilings
- Auditorium ceiling by Marc Chagall
- Home of the Paris Opera Ballet
