Highlights of the Palais Garnier
Exterior view from Avenue de l’Opéra
As you walk along the Avenue de l’Opéra, the Palais Garnier appears directly ahead at the end of the street. Its placement at the end of the city’s axis makes the rooftop statues and verdigris-coloured dome visible even from a distance. As you approach, more decorative details come into view, making not only the façade but also the view from the avenue impressive.
Columns, busts, reliefs, and gilded sculptures overlap in layers across the facade. Comparing the decorations at the top, representing “music” and “dance,” with the differently composed groups of sculptures on either side reveals how the theater’s splendor is expressed throughout the exterior.
Image: Peter Rivera / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0, cropped, resized, and sharpened)Seen from the front, the central colonnade, the two wings, and the golden statues on the roof form an almost symmetrical composition. The Palais Garnier was designed by Charles Garnier, whose proposal was selected in a design competition during the reign of Napoleon 3, and was completed in 1875. Its exterior, layered with sculptures, colored marble, and gilded decoration, is an architectural symbol of Paris from the Second Empire to the early Third Republic.
Grand Staircase and Grand Foyer
The Grand Staircase, built from layered marble, was designed not only as a passage to the auditorium but also as a social stage where elegantly dressed spectators could observe one another. As visitors move from the staircase toward the galleries, the view gradually opens up, creating the impression that they themselves become part of the theatre space.
The Grand Foyer, lined with mirrors, ceiling paintings, chandeliers and golden decoration, is a space reminiscent of a palace ballroom. When you notice how the festive character of the façade continues inside, it becomes clear that in the 19th century the theatre was not only a place to watch performances but also a social setting.
The Auditorium and Chagall’s Ceiling Painting
In the horseshoe-shaped auditorium, decorated mainly in red and gold, the central grand chandelier and Chagall’s ceiling painting, installed in 1964, draw the eye. The contrast between the 19-century decoration and the vivid 20-century painting is another highlight. Due to performance preparations or technical circumstances, the auditorium may be closed to visitors even during visiting hours.
Colonnade, Rotunda and Library-Museum
Walking through the corridor connecting the Grand Staircase and the foyer, as well as the circular Rotonde, lets you experience how the design turns even the movement of the audience into a spectacle. The areas open to visitors may vary depending on current conditions, but the library-museum also offers materials presenting the history of theater and the performing arts. Look beyond the lavish decoration to the building’s role as a theater that has continued to be used as such.
Essential Information about the Palais Garnier
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- You can check information about visits and reservations here.
Visiter le Palais GarnierLe Palais Garnier et l’Opéra Bastille. Programmation, Billetterie, Informations pratiques.www.operadeparis.fr
- 📍 Address
- Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
- 🕒 Opening hours
-
- Regular:10:00–17:00.
- Summer:10:00–18:00.
- End of visits:Last admission is 1 hours before closing, and visitors must leave the visiting area 15 minutes before closing.
- 🚫 Closing days
- Visits are generally possible every day, but temporary closures may occur.
- 💶 Admission
- Ticket types and prices differ between self-guided visits and guided tours. Check the date and time on the official reservation page. Ticket types, prices, and purchasing methods are described in detail in the following section, “Tickets for Palais Garnier.”
- ⏱ Visit duration
- A self-guided visit takes 1 hours 30 minutes. ⚠️ The duration varies depending on crowds and the areas open to visitors that day.
Palais Garnier tickets
Online reservations are required, and tickets are not sold on site. Rehearsals may make it impossible to view the auditorium, and no ticket guarantees admission to the auditorium.
- Adults from outside France and the EEA: 25 euros.
- Ages 13 to 25 from outside France and the EEA: 20 euros.
- Aged 12 or under: free.
Different rates apply to residents or nationals of France and the European Economic Area (EEA). Except for the adult rate for visitors from outside France and the EEA, a valid certificate and identity document must be presented. A free ticket reserved online is collected at the ticket counter at the visiting time.
Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. Suitcases and travel bags are not permitted. Reservations are accepted through the official website listed in the essential information.
How to Get to Palais Garnier
Metro
Use Opéra station on lines 3·7·8. The visitor entrance is at the ticket counter on the corner of Rue Scribe and Rue Auber, behind the statue of Charles Garnier.
RER
You can use Auber station on Line A. Its location makes it easy to combine with the area around Boulevard Haussmann, including the Galeries Lafayette flagship store.
You can check how to get to the Palais Garnier on the official page below.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Paris: A guide to attractions, food, transportation, and suggested itineraries”.
