Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Capacity 1900 seats
Giselle
Location
Duration
2 h 20 min
With intermission
Details
Ballet
For all audiences
No dialogue
Highlights: Giselle
Story: Giselle
Add-On & Premium Experience
Reviews
Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
History and Fun Facts about the Opéra Palais Garnier
One of the most prestigious stages in all of France, the Palais Garnier was constructed between 1860 and 1875, designed by legendary architect Charles Garnier, who was selected among a handful of talented architects in a fierce design competition. The building itself is considered an artful masterpiece, and was one of the most expensive construction projects to come from the Second French Empire under the reign of Napoléon III. The elaborate use of different materials to lend a lavish multicolored facade was typical of many of the works under the rule of Napoléon III, and features sculptures of various figures of Greek mythology. The official inauguration in 1875 was attended by the Mayor of London and Amsterdam, the King Alphonso XII of Spain, and hundreds of members from European high society.
The interior was meticulously designed with intertwining corridors, alcoves and landings to allow for easy movement of large numbers of people; complete with a grand marble staircase and the grand foyer, acting as the drawing room for all of Paris high society and covered in gilded paintings. The auditorium itself is in a traditional Italian horseshoe shape, seating 1900. The stage is the largest in Europe and can accommodate 450 artists, revealed by the opening of the legendary painted curtain. Garnier himself designed the 7-tonne chandelier sparkling above the audience. In 1896, one of the many chandelier counterweights broke free and killed a concierge, the incident that inspired the scenes in the 1910 novel-turned-musical The Phantom of the Opera. The space above the auditorium in the copula dome was once used strictly for cleaning the chandelier, but has since been transformed into a space for opera and dance rehearsals.
The legendary building was initially deemed the Academie Impériale de Musique, yet with the fall of the Second Empire and the start of the Third Republic, this was aptly changed for the Academie Nationale de Musique, which we see written across the exterior facade to this day. Garnier envisioned his design and the transformation of the surrounding area, and to this day the opulence of the Second Empire lives on in this living monument. The avenue de l'Opéra remains the only large Parisian corridor without trees, as Garnier explicitly prevented Haussmann from adorning the street with trees, arguing that his Palais Garnier was to be the main focus. Palais Garnier became the official name in 1989 with the construction of the Opéra Bastille, and the venue now houses primarily ballets.
Fast facts
Capacity: 1,979
Handicap Accessible: Yes – in order to guarantee access to specific locations, we ask that you make your reservation at least 15 days before the performance.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)
FAQ
How do I get to the Opéra Palais Garnier in the 9th arrondissement of Paris?
The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by: Metro lines: The Opéra Palais Garnier can be reached by Metro lines 3, 7, 8, and 9, exiting at the Metro stations Opéra and Chaussée d'Antin — La Fayette. RER subway lines: The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by taking the RER A to the station Auber. Bus lines: The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by the bus lines 21, 45, and 68, exiting at the station Opéra. If you have any trouble getting to the theatre, our customer service can be reached from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the Palais Garnier?
We recommend that you arrive 45 minutes before the start of Giselle, and present your voucher at the front desk. The theatre’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats. Please note that the performances at the Opéra Palais Garnier begin precisely on time, and late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the auditorium until intermission.
How long does the performance of Giselle last?
The ballet, Giselle, lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes, with intermission.
What is included with my Premium ticket for Giselle?
As the Premium tickets are our most exclusive package, these tickets include seating in Category Optima or Category 1 (the best seats in the house), a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Liebermann.
If I purchased Premium tickets, where can I collect my programme and my glass of champagne ?
At the Palais Garnier, you can collect your included show programme for Giselle in the main store, at the programme stand in the entry hall, or at the programme stand at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. You can choose to enjoy your champagne or desired beverage before the performance or during intermission at any of the public bars or in the exclusive Salon Liebermann. The Salon is located on the right-hand side of the Grand Foyer, behind the fireplace.
Is Giselle for an international audience or French speakers?
Both! The Opéra Palais Garnier welcomes spectators from all over the world. This is a dance show without dialogue, and is therefore accessible for speakers of any language!
Is there a dress code at the Palais Garnier in Paris?
There is no specific dress code, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire. For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress. Generally, elegant casual wear is required, and jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.
Is there a coat check available at the Palais Garnier?
Free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.
Is tipping customary at Palais Garnier in Paris?
At the Palais Garnier, it is not customary to tip ushers.
If I'm late, will I still be allowed into the show?
The theatre doors close as soon as the curtain rises and reopen at intermission if the performance includes one.
If you arrive within 15 minutes after the start of the performance, you will not be allowed to enter the theatre and will be directed to an area with a television where you can watch the first part of the show. You will be able to return to your seats during the intermission if the performance includes one.
I bought Premium tickets for Giselle and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?
Yes, it’s completely normal! As the Premium tickets for Giselle include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so the Paris Opera can assign your seats and prepare your exclusive package. You may see a pre-charge on your card, but you can rest assured that we will not charge your card until the booking is validated by the Paris Opera. After the tickets are validated, you will receive your tickets by email. Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera has to manage, this process usually takes two days, but can take up to six days maximum. If your order has not been validated after six days, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.
How do I know if my seats are next to each other?
Tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
For shows at the Palais Garnier in Paris, the seats are assigned in odd numbers or even numbers. Therefore, if your tickets are consecutive odd numbers or even numbers (For example: 1, 3, 5,…), they will be adjacent.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.