PARIS APARTMENTYOUR PARIS HOTEL
Book Online,
Or Telephone
Discount Code 91351
USA: 1-800-780-5733
In Europe Call
00-800-11-20-11-40
MOST POPULAR
Paris.Org Hotels
In The Last 3 Months
In The Last Year
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
Reservations Online
All Airports to All of Paris
PARIS RENTAL CARRAIL EUROPE
Specials & Promotions
EUROSTAR TRAIN
Under the Channel
Paris/London in 3 hours
DISNEYLAND PARIS
Includes Train Pass To
Disneyland Resort Paris
CELLPHONE IN PARIS
1-800-287-5072
Save $10 Promo
Code: "Paris.Org"
TGV TRAIN BOOKING
Europe's Fastest Trains
It Doesn't Get
Better Than This!
RAILPASSES EURAIL PASS FRANCE RAIL PASSSAVE UP TO 50%
On your next Rail Europe purchase
Palais Garnier - Place de l'Opéra , 75009 Paris
Opéra
Auber
20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 31, 39, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, 95
Practical Information
A Bit of History
Built between 1862-1875, its architect was Charles Garnier.
He had been picked from among 171 contestants, and was relatively unknown
although he had won the Rome prize in 1848.
He was only 35 when awarded with the design of the new opera house.
The origins of the idea for a new opera house can be traced back as
far as forty years previous to 1820.
When construction was finally started, it was just as quickly suspended
after the discovery of an underground lake and spring. Although this
problem was overcome, the lake persists and lies beneath the cellars
of the building.
A large building, it has a total area of 11,000 square metres (118,404 square feet) and
a vast stage with room for up to 450 artists. The auditorium itself comprises roughly half
of the total space, most of the rest being used to house necessary logistical support
so that the stage demands of any opera can be met and even surpassed. This can include
live horses running on a rotating stage. The opera seats only 2,200.
Legend has it that the Empress Eugénie asked Garnier whether the building was to
be in Greek or Roman style to which he replied ``It is in the Napoléon III style Madame !''
It remains an ornate building richly decorated with friezes, columns, and winged
figures among other statues and embellishments.
This richness continues inside with velvet, gold leaf, and nymphs and cherubs.
The auditorium's central chandelier weighs over six tons, and its ceiling was painted
in 1964 by Chagall.
Palais Garnier - Place de l'Opéra , 75009 Paris
Practical Information