One day, one visit: the Opéra Garnier
Since its inauguration in 1875, the Opéra Garnier has never ceased to attract the curious from the four corners of the globe, as well as music lovers from all walks of life. With its eclectic, baroque decor, Europe’s largest opera house is a cult Parisian spot that’s a must-see.
At the end of the famous Avenue de l’Opéra stands the Palais Garnier, inaugurated during the Third Republic. Its architecture combines classical and baroque styles, with domes, friezes, columns and marble and bronze statues, making it one of the most extravagant examples of Second Empire architecture in France.
Would you like to find out more about this cult monument in the Napoleon III style? Paris Select offers you a 1h30 guided tour, during which you will be taken through the public areas of the building… Throughout, an expert guide will describe the superb paintings and other works of art, putting you in the shoes of a great Parisian aristocrat of the 19th century!
While the façade of the Opéra Garnier is decorated with four allegorical groups (Music, Lyric Poetry, Lyric Drama and Dance), the interior of the Palais is just as sumptuous. Your guide will be waiting for you at the entrance, before drawing you into the Rotonde des Abonnés, once a reception area for guests.
The exploration continues with the bronze sculpture of the Pythoness and her snakes before reaching the majestic Grand Escalier, leading to the grand foyer. Decorated with mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, multicolored marble columns and gilding, this breathtaking setting invites you on a veritable journey through time… Every nook and cranny conceals new treasures, and its ceiling (painted by Chagall in 1964, it was inspired by nine operas and ballets) represents a great many!
As you make your way through the many corridors and galleries housing the opera’s many treasures, you can always count on your guide to reveal the secrets of this magnificent Opéra Garnier.
