The Palais Garnier, also known as Opéra Garnier, is one of the premier cultural institutions of Paris. It was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III and built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875. The auditorium has a later ceiling painted by Marc Chagall. The opera house is the setting for Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera and the Andrew Lloyd Weber’s 1986 musical Phantom of the Opera.
The auditorium seats 1,979. The 8-ton bronze and crystal chandelier has 340 lights. The Chagall mural was completed in 1964. It was installed on a removable frame over the original painting.
Avant foyer or “Foyer of Mosaics”. The mosaic represent four couples from the Greek mythology. The long gallery overlooks the Grand Staircase.
The Grand Foyer and detail of one of the corners. Designed by Charles Garnier (1825–1898), the façade and the interior followed the Napoleon III style principle of leaving no space without decoration. The windows overlook the Place de l’Opéra.
The ceiling of the octagonal salon at the eastern end of the Grand Foyer. Paintings by Jules-Élie Delaunay‘s central oval panel, The Zodiac, and over-door panel, Apollo Receiving the Lyre.
At small salon lies at each end of the Grand Foyer. The salons have infinity mirrors and represent the moon and the sun. The Salon of the Moon is pictured.
The Grand Staircase.
Front facade of Palais Garnier. The sculpture is the second from the left on the door level. Marble sculpture “La Musique instrumentale” by Jean-Baptiste Claude Eugène Guillaume. While designed for the Paris Opera, the Palais Garnier is now used primarily for the Paris Opera Ballet.
If you are in Paris and have the chance, tour the Palais Garnier to take in a performance.
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Fascinating photos and report on the history of the Palais Garnier! I enjoyed attending the ballet there when I studied in France my junior year. Taking in the glory of the Palais Garnier was just as special as the ballet itself.
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I so agree. I’ve seen two ballets there. Also did a tour which was great.
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Oh my, that is absolutely beautiful. I don’t think I’d even be able to follow what was happening on stage. I’d just be gawking at the surroundings.
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I have done some of that gawking. 😀
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It’s absolutely fabulous, isn’t it? You were obviously there during Covid? I’m having a few thoughts now xx
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Yes, shortly after COVID. I’ve been twice for performances and once for their tour. Well worth visiting.
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I tried to book a tour on the website this morning but failed… xx
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Are you headed to Paris?
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I hadn’t thought to but it’s my birthday next week and I was investigating possibilities xx
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Happy early birthday. I’ll be in Paris in 2/3 weeks with 3 of my sisters. I was headed on my own to see the John Singer Sargent exhibit at the Musee d’Orsay but it has turned into a sisters event.
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Thanks! That sounds wonderful xx
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It’s a truly magnificent building. Take the tour and go and see a performance there.
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Hey, Sheree. I’ve done both. I’ve gone to ballet performance, including the strangest ballet I have ever seen, The Rite of Spring. Music by Igor Stravinsky, choreography by Nijinsky. I was not the only one in the audience who was speechless when it was over. 😀
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Interesting………….
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