Palais Garnier (Opéra)
Tickets, Tours & Visitor Guide to Paris's Grand Opera House
⏱ 1-1.5 hours👤 All ages$$
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Commissioned under Napoleon III and opened in 1875, the Palais Garnier — designed by architect Charles Garnier — is one of the most spectacular theaters in the world and the epitome of opulent Second Empire architecture. It anchors the 9th arrondissement at the head of the Avenue de l'Opéra, a deliberate centerpiece of Baron Haussmann's grand redesign of Paris.
Its interiors are pure theater before any performance begins. The Grand Staircase, a sweeping double flight of marble beneath a soaring vaulted ceiling, was designed for the spectacle of society arriving for the evening. The Grand Foyer — a long gallery of mirrors, gilding, chandeliers, and painted ceilings — was conceived to rival the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The horseshoe-shaped auditorium, in red velvet and gold, is famous for its grand chandelier and, since 1964, the dreamlike ceiling painted by Marc Chagall. The building's mysteries and underground lake also inspired Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.
Visitors can tour the public spaces (self-guided or on a guided tour) during the day when there's no rehearsal or performance, and a small museum-library displays opera memorabilia. Of course, attending a ballet or opera here is the ultimate way to experience it. Hours for visits vary with the performance schedule, so check before you go, and book ahead in peak season. It's centrally located near the Galeries Lafayette department store and the Right Bank's grand boulevards.
What to Expect
Format
Self-guided or guided daytime tours of the public spaces (Grand Staircase, Grand Foyer, auditorium) when no rehearsal/performance is on, plus a small museum. Or attend an evening ballet/opera. Hours vary with the schedule.
Best Time
Daytime for self-guided or guided tours — but check that visits are open that day (performances and rehearsals can close the auditorium). Evening for a performance.
Duration
1-1.5 hours for a tour.
Tips
Check visiting hours before you go — they vary with the performance and rehearsal schedule, and the auditorium isn't always viewable. A guided tour adds depth; the self-guided visit covers the highlights. For the full experience, attend a ballet or opera. It's near Galeries Lafayette for shopping.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Lovers of architecture, opulence, and history — the interiors alone are worth the visit.
Families
Older kids enjoy the grandeur and the Phantom connection; a tour is short enough to hold attention.
Couples
Sumptuous and romantic — a tour of the gilded foyers, or better, a night at the ballet or opera.
Pair With
The grand boulevards, the Galeries Lafayette department store (with its free rooftop view), and the Right Bank shopping nearby.
Time Needed
1-1.5 hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the opera house without seeing a show?
Yes — you can tour the public spaces (the Grand Staircase, the mirrored Grand Foyer, and usually the auditorium) during the day, self-guided or on a guided tour, when no rehearsal or performance is taking place.
Is this the Phantom of the Opera setting?
Yes — the Palais Garnier, with its underground lake and dramatic architecture, inspired Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera.
What are the highlights?
The sweeping marble Grand Staircase, the dazzling mirrored-and-gilded Grand Foyer, and the red-and-gold auditorium with its grand chandelier and ceiling painted by Marc Chagall.
Are visiting hours always the same?
No — daytime visiting hours vary with the performance and rehearsal schedule, and the auditorium isn't always viewable. Check before you go and book ahead in peak season.
Where is it?
In the 9th arrondissement at the head of the Avenue de l'Opéra, near the Galeries Lafayette department store and the Right Bank's grand boulevards.
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