is it worth seeing the opera house in paris?

If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I've never been in a more beautiful opera house than Palais Garnier in Paris. This stunning building is not only a functioning opera house filled with plush red and gold decor, but it's also a historical landmark that visitors can tour. If you're visiting Paris and considering stopping into Palais Garnier to walk around and snap a few unforgettable photos, I would highly recommend. To learn more about the opera house including where it is, how much tickets are, and more, make sure to read below.

what is palais garnier?

Palais Garnier, also known as Opera Garnier, is a famous opera house located in Paris, France. It has been open to the community for over 150 years, putting on countless iconic events including operas, ballets, classical music concerts, and more. It also attracts thousands of visitors each and every day, eager to take pictures on the grand staircase or underneath the golden chandeliers and to learn about its history.

THE HISTORY OF PALAIS GARNIER

Palais Garnier was inaugurated on the cold morning of January 5, 1875 after 14 long years of construction. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III, the opera house was designed by a humble architect named Charlies Garnier who became famous later due to his eclectic taste, blending classical baroque, and renaissance elements to create a style that would become known as "Napoleon III". While an opera house of this size would usually not take this long to create, Palais Garnier's construction was put on pause during the 1870 Franco-Prussian War where it was used as a warehouse and military prison, which held up the timeline a bit. Once it finally was finished and open to the public though it became an iconic place, inspiring works like Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. Today, millions of visitors get dressed up every year to come and see a show at Palais Garnier

WHAT IS PALAIS GARNIER FAMOUS FOR?

Palais Garnier is famous because of its historical and aesthetic design. With a stunning double marble staircase, a grand foyer adorned with chandeliers, and an opulent auditorium that features red velvet seats, gold trim, and a massive crystal chandelier that weights over 7 tons, it's no question why this opera house is so iconic. It also has countless popular productions like Henry III and The Phantom of the Opera (which the Palais Garnier actually inspired-SO COOL!) that attracts audiences from near and far.

CAN YOU GO INSIDE PALAIS GARNIER?

Yes, you can go inside Palais Garnier! If you're looking to tour the inside of the opera house you can purchase a ticket from popular tourism sites like Viator, TripAdvisor, and Tiquets. If you're looking to see an opera, ballet, or any other type of performance then you must purchase a ticket from the Palais Garnier website, which can be found by clicking the link here.

HOW MUCH IS IT TO VISIT PALAIS GARNIER?

Tickets to visit the Palais Garnier in Paris are usually around €15 for adults, a reduced rate of €10 for anyone 12 to 25 years old, senior citizens over 65, or students, and admission is free for children under the age of 12. If you're looking for a guided tour it will be a little more expensive. Guided tours are typically about €23 for adults, €16.50 for the reduced rate group, and €10 for children under the age of 10.

My friends and I arrived at Palais Garnier in the early afternoon. Though there was a line outside for individuals who had not bought tickets, because we bought our tickets in advance and did not book a tour we were able to go right in. From here, we entered and found ourselves in the grand foyer where there was a giant double marble staircase. The ceilings were trimmed with gold, and there were torch looking lights dotting the staircase. We felt like it was truly one of the most beautiful places we'd ever seen. There were also a TON of people there when we went and it became very clear that many people came just to take pictures on the staircase or on the level above, overlooking the foyer. We couldn't help but take pictures ourselves. There was also a viewpoint where you could see into the red velvet theater, and another hallway full of golden chandeliers. Overall, we definitely thought it was worth visiting and enjoyed taking pictures there.

WHAT TYPE OF SHOWS CAN YOU SEE AT PALAIS GARNIER?

The Palais Garnier features a number of different productions, including but not limited to operas, ballets, and classical music concerts. The productions change on a regular basis which means that if you aren't interested in the current shows there will be a different mix in a month or two. Some of the most famous productions that bring thousands of guests include Giselle, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Cosi fan tutte, and Le Palais de Cristal.

HOW MUCH IS A SHOW AT PALAIS GARNIER?

The cost of a show at Palais Garnier depends on the type of show, time of day, day of the week, the seat you choose, and how popular that specific show is. However, you can assume that opera performances are anywhere from €10 for economy seats to about €230 for premium seats. The ballet is a little bit less expensive with ticket prices varying between €10-€170 per seat, and concerts/recitals are around the same prices as a ballet. If you're looking for pricing for a specific show, I would advise visiting the Palais Garnier website directly to see which shows are available on which days, which will give you more accurate pricing for the experience you want.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE FOR GOING TO PALAIS OPERA?

While there isn't a formal dress code when visiting the Palais Garnier, it is advised visitors wear "smart casual" clothing. This means no ripped jeans, flip flops, crop tops, running sneakers, etc. Instead, you want to opt for normal jeans, trousers, skirts, dresses, sweaters, blouses, boots, etc. If you are attending a gala event in the evening then men are advised to wear dark suits and women are advised to wear dresses. Additionally, many visitors encourage guests who are sitting in the orchestra or front balconies to dress up a little bit more than usual.

WHERE TO EAT NEAR PALAIS GARNIER

One of the highest rated lunch and dinner spots near Palais Garnier is SEB Cafe, an Italian restaurant complete with pasta, pizza and more. The prices are decent and the food is excellent. Similarly, the Italian restaurant LAZZI nearby is said to be exceptional. There is also La Brigade- Opera if you are looking for a quick and delicious spot to eat, which has many great meat dishes for a great price, or RIVAGES if you are looking for an elevated experience before or after going to the opera.

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If you’re planning a trip to Paris, there’s plenty more to explore beyond the Palais Garnier. Scroll down to check out more Paris travel guides, and if you want expert tips on saving money, making the most of credit card rewards, and traveling smarter, subscribe to my blog. With over 20 countries under my belt, I share practical advice to help you travel better for less. Don’t miss out—stay connected for more insider travel tips!