Garnier was a relatively unknown architect at the time, but he impressed the judges with the grandeur and scale of his design. The design for this new opera house was chosen by a competition, and 35-year-old Charles Garnier was proclaimed the winner in 1861. The next day, he announced that a new opera house, with a more secure entrance, should be built. On the evening of 14 January 1858, an assassination attempt was made on Napoleon III as he arrived by carriage to the Salle Le Peletier with his wife. Made from crystal and bronze, this elaborate piece of artwork weighs an incredible seven tons! After it was installed there was concern that it partially obstructed the view of the stage and of the auditorium’s ceiling frescos, but over time it has become a treasured part of the opera house.īefore the Opera Garnier, the Salle Le Peletier was the primary opera house in Paris. In the center of the room hangs its famous chandelier. With space to accommodate 1,979 patrons and 450 performers, the Opera Garnier remains one of the largest opera houses in Europe nearly 150 years after its completion. On the ceiling there is a beautiful fresco depicting important moments and events in the history of music dating back to the 1870s.
The foyer was recently restored to its former glory and features two enormous fireplaces at each end.
This was the place to see and be seen in late 19th century Paris. Even more opulent than the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, the Grand Foyer stretches over 500 feet. The Opera Garnier’s Grand Foyer glows in warm hues of gold and is the very definition of decadent. As you ascend the staircase, don’t forget to look up at the colorful fresco and skylight above. Not to be outdone, the oversized candelabras anchoring and illuminating the stairs are works of art all on their own. The staircase is nothing short of spectacular, and features marble in luxurious shades of red, green and cream from Sweden, Italy and France. Situated just beyond the main entrance to the Opera Garnier, its Grand Staircase is a fitting focal point for this beautiful building. Take at look at the busts adorning the first and second floors and you might recognize Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. The Opera Garnier’s front facade alone features dozens of intricately carved sculptures. This overabundance of detail and decoration is indicative of the style of the late 19th century in Paris, a period where decadence knew no bounds. The first thing you’ll notice as you approach the opera house is its extravagant facade, which took nearly 100 different craftsmen to complete. The building is open for tours most days, but we recommend checking ahead of your visit just to be sure. The Opera Garnier is situated in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, right next to the popular Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.
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