Explore the intriguing world of the Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra Garnier, which was created by Napoleon III and built by Charles Garnier, a budding architect who gained international recognition for his work on Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera. It is a representation of Paris and the only operating theater in the world that is both a venue for the arts and a majestic structure brimming with history.
As always, the Opera House is a magnificent architectural wonder and a work of art in and of itself, with its imperial crown dome and elegant theater curtain that one can slide through to access the grand staircase. The massive Marc Chagall fresco is remarkable and unique in its modernism and is located beneath the Palais Garnier dome amidst the gilding and red velvet. The Grand Foyer’s windows that look out into the Boulevard are just as beautiful as Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. An unquestionable must-see is the Paris Opera House, a masterpiece of architecture.
An underground lake that served as the idea for Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera” is currently utilized for specialized underwater fireman training at the Opéra Garnier, which is a little city of its own. It is one of Paris’s most popular attractions due to its proximity to the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department shops, the Louvre, and the Japanese district by rue St-Anne; therefore, you must be creative if you want to avoid the crowds.
Address: Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France.
History of the Palais Garnier in Paris, France
The Opera Garnier, home of the Paris Opera, was constructed between 1861 and 1875. It was previously known as the “Salle des Capucines” due to its proximity to the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris’s 9th district. In honor of its designer, Charles Garnier, the building became known as the “Palais Garnier.” Until the Bastille Opera House was completed in 1989, the Paris Opera was housed in the palace. The ballet is the main event at the Paris Opera Palais Garnier these days.
Realizing that Garnier’s magnificent opera theater was part of a bigger endeavor under Napoleon III to transform Paris into a modern European metropolis is crucial to appreciating its significance. Despite its centuries-long existence, the French capital in the early 19th century resembled nothing more than a dirty and overgrown medieval town. The city and many of its ancient buildings were in disrepair due to political changes, yet a select few nevertheless managed to live in luxury.
Georges-Eugène Haussmann, also known as Baron Haussmann, was appointed to head a massive urban renewal project after the so-called Second Republic was established under Napoleon III. This project involved the planning and creation of wide boulevards that connected landmark buildings and made movement throughout the city (and defense) easier. It was at this point that the government decided to build the Palais Garnier to add elegance and beauty to the city.
What to expect in the Palais Garnier
The poetry, audacity, and brilliance of Charles Garnier have succeeded in creating a unique harmony between the sculpture, art, and architecture of the Palais Garnier, making it an absolute must-see for everyone interested in splendor and elegance.
The edifice, which serves as a stage for ballet and opera performances, is a visual feast, with onyx-balconied balconies, marble staircases, intricate murals, and lavish gilding. One of Paris’s hidden treasures.
Elegant elements build a stunning design throughout the Palais Garnier, from the grand staircase to the magnificent Grand Salon. A harmonic composition of many architectural styles. Plus, it was a “first” in architecture; therefore, it went on to serve as an example for future structures.
Tourists may take pleasure in the Palais Garnier’s rich history and ornate decor. The décor has mythical characters, allegorical sculptures, and even surprising themes like the salamander, owl, or bat, in addition to statues of high-profile people from the world of opera. There is a wonderful vibe all throughout the structure.
Different parts of the Palais Garnier
Located at the crossroads of many large boulevards in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, the Paris Opera House is a magnificent and much-loved theatrical venue. The Garnier Opera House, also known as the Palais Garnier or the Garnier Palace, was built by architect Charles Garnier over the course of 13 years and was opened to the public in 1875.
The structure was commissioned by Napoleon III as part of the grand plan to transform the medieval streets of Paris into a modern metropolis, but it was not open to the public until after Napoleon’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Materials like marble, onyx, crystal, gold leaf and crimson velvet were used to create the opera house’s lavish interior, which includes a grand foyer, an extraordinary staircase leading to five levels of box seats, and an auditorium with an enormous chandelier and a contemporary art painting by Marc Chagall.
Today, the grand edifice is used mostly for ballet and contemporary dance performances, but it is still considered one of Paris’s most important landmarks alongside the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre.
1. Bassin De La Pithye, Grand Escalier: After passing the Rotonde des Abonnés, you’ll find the Bassin de la Pythia, which in turn leads to the Grand Escalier and its breathtaking thirty-meter-high vault. The theater’s double staircase, crafted from the marble of varying colors, leads to the theater’s numerous foyers and levels. Two female allegories with candles stand at the foot of the steps, welcoming visitors to this little theater inside a theater.
2. The Auditorium: The “French” auditorium, named for the way the seats are organized according to their category, is horseshoe-shaped and follows the Italian theatrical tradition of allowing the audience to both see and be seen. Behind the marble, stucco, velvet, and gilding hang a bronze and crystal chandelier with 340 bulbs weighing 8 tons. Theater artists Auguste Rube (1817-1899) and Philippe Chaperon (1823-1906) designed the house curtain at Charles Garnier’s request. In 1951 and again in 1996, the curtain was replaced by an exact replica.
3. Library-Museum of the Opera: Three hundred years of opera and theater history are preserved in the Library-Museum of the Opera (National Library of France) collections. There is a permanent collection of artworks on display in the museum gallery. There are still large stone blocks from 1870 lining the stairs leading to the temporary exhibition hall, evidence that construction was never finished after the collapse of the Empire. But unfortunately, only authorized researchers are allowed in the reading room at the Rotunde de l’Empereur.
Final words about the Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier is one of the best attractions in Paris and is also one of the iconic buildings to show the elegance and heritage of this magical city. The building evokes the opulence of France’s Second Empire, an era known for its refinement and extravagance. The 2,000-seat auditorium, which matches the building’s lavish facade and lobby, is a riot of red velvet, gold, and bronze and features an enormous chandelier and a colorful ceiling painting by modernist artist Marc Chagall.
