Famous the world over, since 1875 the Opera Garnier reigns at one end of one of the most luxurious Parisian avenues laid down by Baron Haussmann.

During the evening, its golden facade shining brightly, it welcomes a host of opera lovers, there to hear the greatest singers of the day. By day, it offers visitors the chance to admire the magnificence of its salons, its decorated ceilings and its chandeliers.

The architect Charles Garnier, after whom it is named, spent fifteen years building it, interrupted many times by numerous difficulties. His love of pomp and elegance are evident in the majestic grand double ceremonial staircase, and in the richly decorated halls where a crowd of women in crinolines would gather during the interval. One of these is the Main Hall, inspired by Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, its huge glass chandeliers and its skilfully placed mirrors and picture windows looking out onto a view of the avenue as far as the Louvre. In the rooms dedicated to the Moon and the Sun, mirrors in hot and cold tones reflect each other to infinity forming enchanting paths of light.

The library-museum houses collections dedicated to the history of the Opera over the past three centuries and holds temporary exhibitions all year round. And on the days without performances, you can discover the famous red and gold theatre, the ceiling of which was painted by Chagall.