Palais Garnier

The basics

With its gilding, grandeur, and lavish ornamentation, Palais Garnier is often compared to the Palace of Versailles. While you can admire the beaux-arts and neo-baroque structure, commissioned by Napoleon III and designed by architect Charles Garnier, from the outside on Paris sightseeing tours, it’s also possible to see the interior by attending a performance, taking a self-guided audio tour, or joining a guided tour of the venue. Book an after-hours tour to explore the Palais Garnier without the crowds.

You can also combine a tour of Palais Garnier with visits to other nearby architectural gems, such as the historic Galeries Lafayette department store and the passages couverts (covered shopping galleries).

Things to know before you go

• The on-site restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the bar inside the theater sells drinks before performances and during intermissions.

• Operas are usually performed in their original language, with French (and sometimes English) supertitles.

• While no official dress code is enforced for regular performances, most operagoers dress smartly. For special gala events, attendees wear more formal attire.

How to get there

Palais Garnier is in the Opéra and Grands Boulevards area, one of Paris’ shopping hot spots. The Opéra station, just across the street from the venue, can be accessed by Metro lines 3, 7, and 8, while lines 7 and 9 serve the nearby Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette station. Alternatively, take the RER A line to Auber station.

When to get there

Palais Garnier tours are held daily throughout the year and are most popular during the summer. To escape the crowds, book an after-hours tour, which allows you to see the quiet corridors and hushed auditorium without the daytime crowds. Note that access to the auditorium is dependent on availability; for the best chance of seeing it, opt for a morning tour, as rehearsals typically take place in the afternoon.

Highlights of the Palais interior

The interior’s standout features are the fresco- and gold-adorned Grand Foyer, the bronze Pythonisse sculpture, and the imposing Grand Staircase (Grand Escalier). Auditorium highlights include the 2,600-square-foot (241-square-meter) ceiling painting by Marc Chagall, in the center of which hangs an enormous bronze and crystal chandelier that inspired the dramatic chandelier drop in Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera.

Ways to explore

Whether you’re exploring Paris’ 9th arrondissement, joining a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or shopping at the neighboring Galeries Lafayette, you can’t miss the palatial facade of the Palais Garnier. To further admire the Beaux-Art architecture, enjoy a self-guided or guided tour, take part in an immersive game set in the opera house, or snag tickets for an opera or ballet performance.

Climb the double-marble Grand Staircase; walk through the Grand Foyer, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles; and marvel at the auditorium, a vision of red velvet, gold, and bronze crowned by the famous Marc Chagall ceiling fresco.

Accessibility

Palais Garnier is wheelchair accessible; enter via the box office at the corner of Scribe and Auber Streets. Free wheelchairs can be picked up at reception, and accessible restrooms are available throughout the opera house. Assistance dogs are welcome, and some performances provide visual and hearing aids or special “relaxed” performances adapted for viewers with autism and other disabilities. A 50 percent discount is applied to tickets and tours for disability badge holders and companions.

Age limits

Children ages 5 and up may attend performances; some performances may also have a recommended minimum age. Tours are free for children under 12. Special low-price previews are open to people up to 28 years old.

What to pack

Binoculars, a light cover-up (it can be cool inside the air-conditioned theater)

What to wear

Smart-casual clothing is recommended—avoid sportswear, sneakers, or clothing that could be distracting for other audience members. For gala evenings, a dark suit or gown is more appropriate.

Not allowed

Large backpacks and suitcases, cameras and recording devices, outside food and drinks, strollers, scooters, skateboards

Amenities

Restaurant (reservations recommended), bar, concessions stand, luggage storage, gift shop, audio guides

Address

Palais Garnier is located in the Opéra and Grands Boulevards area of Paris’ 9th arrondissment. It’s easy to reach on foot from central sights such as the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde, or you can take the Paris Metro.

Driving

Driving in central Paris is only possible for low-emission vehicles, but with heavy traffic and expensive parking, it’s more hassle than it’s worth. Take a taxi or use a rideshare service instead.

Public transportation

The closest Metro station is Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8), just across the street from the venue; Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette (lines 7, 9) is also close. For regional trains, Gare Saint-Lazare (lines J, L, TER) is a 10-minute walk away.

Best times to visit

Come in the morning when it’s quietest for a self-guided tour, or book an after-hours tour to explore without the crowds. The auditorium often closes to visitors during afternoon rehearsals.

Best days to visit

Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends are typically the busiest days for sightseeing. Performances are held from Tuesday through Sunday.

Best months to visit

The Paris Ballet season runs from September through mid-July, but tours run year-round. It’s most magical over the holiday season, but tickets sell out early for Christmas operas and ballets, so book well in advance.

Special events

The Opening Gala in September is one of the most prestigious events of the ballet season, and special behind-the-scenes tours are usually held during the European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) in September.