Opéra Garnier Guided Tour - Opéra Palais Garnier

Location

Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Capacity 1900 seats

Duration

1 h 30 min

Details

Guided Tour

For groups of 10 people or more

In French or English

Highlights: Opéra Garnier Guided Tour

Welcome to the most prestigious opera and ballet house in all of Paris! Book a tour with a professional guide to discover the historical and architectural wonders of the ornate Palais Garnier. Should you choose to visit the Opéra Garnier at 5 p.m., after its doors are shut to the public, your guide will take you on a journey following the footsteps of Erik – the famed Phantom of the Opera from Gaston Leroux's novel! Visit the Palais Garnier to uncover the secrets and myths of this palace that seems to transcend time itself…

Built in 1875 by architect Charles Garnier, the Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe, housing more than 2,000 seats under its elaborate roof. As well as being regarded as the most prestigious of Paris' theatres, the Opéra Garnier is also one of the capital's most emblematic monuments, a museum in its own right with a spectacular selection of paintings, sculptures, and fascinating architectural features.

Your tour begins at the Rotonde des Abonnés, a glorious vestibule which once served as the audience entrance. Your guide will then lead you to the fascinating statue of the Pythia, and then to the Grand Escalier - a lavish split staircase with grandiose decor, featuring marble, onyx, copper, paintings, gilding, and mosaics. At its summit, you will then reach the Grand Foyer. You may find that its splendor and captivating use of mirrors and windows are reminiscent of the Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles. Technical and artistic conditions permitting, you will also have access to the auditorium.

To make your visit to the Paris opera an exquisitely unique experience, you can choose to visit in the evening (5 p.m.), after the Palais Garnier is closed to the public. Your guide will take you on a tour in the footsteps of the Phantom of the Opera, the titular character from the celebrated novel by Gaston Leroux. As you discover the secrets and anecdotes of this historically and culturally rich palace, you will enjoy the rare privilege of having the entire monument to yourself, and exclusive access to the dressing room number 5 – that of the ghost himself. This tour offers you a rare opportunity to learn all of the facts and secrets about Paris' most revered (and most mysterious!) monument from an insider's perspective. What are you waiting for…?

Available Guided Tours at Opéra Garnier

You can choose between three different tours:

"Intermezzo at the Palais Garnier" Tour:
Explore the publicly accessible areas of the Palais Garnier and discover the extraordinary history of this architectural masterpiece and total work of art.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – (available at all times except Belle Époque slots).
"The Palais Garnier in the Belle Époque" Tour:
Step back in time with Charles Garnier, experience the lively atmosphere of 19th-century social life, immerse yourself in musical excerpts, and join the dance!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – (typically available between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.).
"The Mysteries of the Palais Garnier" Tour:
Uncover all the secrets of the Paris Opera House in this exclusive tour outside public opening hours. In a hushed atmosphere, discover or rediscover this timeless venue.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes – (after closing at 5:00 p.m.).

Practical Information

Fancy sharing your trip to the Opera de Paris with friends? Look no further - Theatre in Paris offers guided group tours of this architectural relic! Enjoy reduced rates for larger groups - get in touch!

Practical Information:

Visit duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address : Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris
Languages available: In French or English
Group size requirement: Your group must be made up of 10 people or more to make a reservation.
Reservation: Reserve your guided tour by clicking on the button “Request your date” on this page and filling out our group request form! We recommend booking at least 1 month in advance to ensure your visit runs smoothly.

Please Note: Theatre in Paris offers tours of the Opéra Garnier only for groups of 10 people or more.
We recommend contacting us at least 1 month in advance. Opéra Garnier tours are in high demand, and this will allow us to ensure your visit runs smoothly.
Click here to fill out the form.

Book a visit to the Printemps Haussmann too!

If you are interested in visiting Palais Garnier, you may also be interested in visiting the famous and opulent department store Le Printemps for groups of 10 or more. For more information, click here!

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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)

opera palais paris view ©Christian Leiber / OnP

palais garnier ©Jean-Pierre Delagarde OnP

opera palais garnier plan de salle seating chart tickets billets paris

FAQ

How do I get to opera house Palais Garnier in the 9th arrondissement of Paris?

The Palais Garnier opera house is accessible by:
Metro: Line 3 (station Opéra), line 7 (station Chaussée d’Antin), line 8 (station Madeleine and Opéra), line 9 (station Chaussée d’Antin)
RER: Line A (station Auber)
Address: Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What should I do when I arrive at the Palais Garnier?

We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour begins. Once inside the building, the meeting point with your guide is in the Members' Rotunda. Please present your ticket when you arrive.

How long does a visit at the Palais Garnier last?

Depending on the visit you choose, the guided tour of the Palais Garnier Opera House lasts between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes.

Is it a guided tour of the Palais Garnier for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Palais Garnier is an iconic monument of Paris, visited as much by travelers as by the local public. Tours are offered in French or English, usually at different times. The language is indicated in the price list after you select a day and time to visit when you make your reservation, so be sure to check your choice.

Is it possible to visit the theatre and backstage?

Although visits often include access to the performance hall, it is not always available due to technical and artistic conditions. Access to the backstage area is not included in the guided tour of the Palais Garnier.