Opéra Garnier, Paris

It is the largest theatre in the world. Architect Charles Garnier designed and built this magnificient piece. It was completed in 1875 and its charm didnt fade. No one can miss this artwork while walking along Avenue L'opera. Many famous plays, ballets, dances and musicals did not pass this by. It is worth going in for a musical treat.

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In former days the Opera Garnier was named the Paris Opera, but since the building of the Opéra Bastille in 1989, the name of this opera is Opéra Garnier.

Opera Garnier, built in neo-baroque style, is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of its time. This opera is designed as part of the great Parisian reconstruction of the Second Empire under Baron Haussmann. There was a competition which was won by the that time still unknown 35-year-old architect Charles Garnier. The foundation stone was laid in 1861.

In 1978 I visited the operahouse to watch an opera of Wagner. It was a very unique experience. I was impressed by the building, the abundant decorations, the steep steps to the seats very high in the back of the hall.... and not in the last place by the bombastic performance with real galopping horses at the stage.

One of the horsemen fell down from his horse during the performance and disappeared invisible behind one of the décors, while 'the show went on'. As spectators we didn't know what happened to him, but one of my colleagues, who walked at the backside of the building around that time, told me later that he saw that a man was carried into an ambulance. So I suppose the man problably crawled away from the stage himself, unvisible for the audience.

I think this is one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris. We didn't have a chance to go into the interior on this trip and on a previous tip we had purchased tickets to view the interior on the assurance that we would get in to see the auditorium but it was closed due to rehearsals. After a lengthy argument with the person who sold us the ticket, we left without a refund or the ability to see the interior since we were leaving the next day. So be sure and check before purchasing tickets whether you can view the actual auditorium.

Metro: Opera
Open: 10am-5pm, English tour at 12:30 (source Cadogan guide)
Not included on the museum pass

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The inner ceiling of the performance hall is dominated by the Marc Chagall painting, which is lit by the great chandelier. The outer circle is comprised of 5 sections each of a different color. Research reveals - blue is dedicated to Mussorgsky and Mozart and features the
Enchanted Flute, green is for Wagner and Berlioz and features Romeo and Juliette, white is for Rameall and Debussy, yellow is for Stravinsky, and red is for Tchaikowsky and features Swan Lake and Firebird. The great chandelier is the main source of lighting but not sufficient for hand-held cameras, as evidenced by my limited efforts pictured. This chandelier is a key feature in the Phantom of the Opera novel and subsequent theatre productions and is a major attraction itself.

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The grand stairway of the Opera Garnier is constructed of onyx and marble, surrounded by Venetian frescoes and statuary. The opulent Performance Hall is decorated in gold and red with multicolored marble friezes, columns, and innumerable statues. Stunning - the only word. Pictured are the staircase and (limited) images of the main performance hall.

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This spectacular landmark at the northern end of Avenue de l'Opera in the ninth arrondissement is a gaudy neo-Baroque structure initially commissioned by Napoleon III. It was designed to assure security for the royals after an (unsuccessful) assassination attempt. A young architect named Charles Garnier won the commission in a competition. Construction lasting 15 years began in 1861, delayed by local politics including the fall of the Empire as well as the Franco-Prussian War. When finally completed, it occupied over 3 acres, had 17 levels, and seated over 2000. Up to 450 people can be on the stage. Extensive marble friezes, columns, and statues cover the iron frame on the exterior, and the interior is designed with velvet and gold leaf throughout. Mosaics cover the lobby walls and statues fill niches throughout.

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The opera was built between 1862 and 1875 and it athe most typical monument to the time of Napoleon III.
It can accommodate an audience of 2,000 and 450 performers on stage. Unfortunately we did not have time to go to a performance while in Paris but I would love go one day (who knows???)
I include a decoration from the opera.... Mozart one of my favourite composers!
the Opera is on the beginning of the Boulevard des Capucines.... called that because there used to be a convent there for Capunchin nuns.

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The Palais Garnier is an opera house, a grand landmark at the northern end of the Avenue de l'Op?ra in the IXe arrondissement of Paris. It is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of its time and one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris. Built in the Neo-Baroque style, it is the thirteenth theatre to house the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV in 1669.
It was often also called the Paris Opera, but since the building of the Op?ra Bastille in 1989, it is referred to as the Op?ra Garnier. The large building has a total area of 11,000 square metres and a huge stage with room to accommodate up to 450 artists. An ornate building, the style is monumental, opulently decorated with elaborate multicolored marble friezes and columns. The interior is rich with velvet, gold leaf, and cherubs and nymphs. The auditorium's central chandelier weighs over six tons, and its ceiling was painted in 1964 by Marc Chagall.