The Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra Garnier, is one of Europe's largest and most incredibly beautiful opera houses.
It is famous as the haunt of Paul Leroux's “Phantom of the Opera” and for its picturesque, photogenic interiors that have been the setting for endless movies, television shows and photo shoots.
A truly wonderful example of Neobaroque architecture that is a gilded dream, it was begun in 1862 and was not completed until 1875. The main reason for the delay? An underground lake was discovered underneath the building during the process, obviously!
This lake still exists and is the real-life inspiration for where the fictional Phantom used to hang out.
It is famous as the haunt of Paul Leroux's “Phantom of the Opera” and for its picturesque, photogenic interiors that have been the setting for endless movies, television shows and photo shoots.
A truly wonderful example of Neobaroque architecture that is a gilded dream, it was begun in 1862 and was not completed until 1875. The main reason for the delay? An underground lake was discovered underneath the building during the process, obviously!
This lake still exists and is the real-life inspiration for where the fictional Phantom used to hang out.
The construction of the modern Opéra de Paris Bastille in 1989 on the Place de la Bastille has meant that the Opéra Garnier has now become a venue largely for ballet performances, though other types of performances do take place on site and it has actually played host to incredible acts and bands ranging from Prince to Lana del Rey in the past.
While the seating capacity is less than 2,200, the building is one of the largest theatres in the world by acreage and its vast interior is luxuriously decorated with opulent ornamentation, chandeliers, rose marble columns, friezes, mosaics and sculptures. It is, in fact, so extraordinarily plush and luxurious that it has been compared to Versailles and the Grand Foyer, in particular, really does remind of the mirrored corridors of that mind-blowing palace. The building is a tourist attraction in its own right, in addition to the actual performances that take places inside of it.
While the seating capacity is less than 2,200, the building is one of the largest theatres in the world by acreage and its vast interior is luxuriously decorated with opulent ornamentation, chandeliers, rose marble columns, friezes, mosaics and sculptures. It is, in fact, so extraordinarily plush and luxurious that it has been compared to Versailles and the Grand Foyer, in particular, really does remind of the mirrored corridors of that mind-blowing palace. The building is a tourist attraction in its own right, in addition to the actual performances that take places inside of it.
If you have found a vacation rental in Paris and are interested in her most beautiful buildings, architecture in general or performances, it is the place to visit. As noted, there are ballets and concerts staged regularly and there are tours to be taken of the building outside of the performances. There are even special tours of small groups that are brought in after-hours to see the grandeur of the building minus the constant milling of crowds of tourists.
One can see just why this building inspired such an iconic tale and endless use in art in an instant. It is a great beauty and a must-see for culture vultures visiting the city.
One can see just why this building inspired such an iconic tale and endless use in art in an instant. It is a great beauty and a must-see for culture vultures visiting the city.