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Self-Guided Visit to Opera Garnier
Valid: 1 day
Skip the lines to the famous Opera Garnier in Paris, and enjoy more time to admire the largest opera in Europe.
Palais Garnier
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Palais Garnier: Tours & Tickets
Opera Garnier Tour with Expert Guides in Paris
Duration: 90 minutes
Likely to sell out
Discover Europe's largest opera house on an informative 90-minute tour of the Opera Garnier. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides from the Opera de…
FlyView: Fly over Paris in Virtual Reality
Duration: 31 - 35 minutes
Likely to sell out
Put on your jetpack and see Paris from a bird’s-eye view. The 15-minute FlyView virtual-reality experience is complete with real flight sensations.
Paris: Mysteries of the Opera Garnier After Hours Tour
Duration: 90 minutes
Uncover the mysteries of the Opera Garnier in Paris on a 90-minute tour of the public areas in English or French. See stunning gilt and mosaic…
Paris: 2-Hour Panoramic Night Tour
Duration: 2 hours
See the sights of Paris illuminated after dark on a 2-hour panoramic night tour. Get a front-row seat to all the must-see sights, such as the Eiffel…
Paris at Christmas: Festive Shopping Past and Present
Duration: 2 hours
Discover the delights of Christmas in Paris. Explore the charming covered passages with chic Parisians shop in tiny boutiques. See the famous…
Paris: Classic Sites Tour by Vintage Citroen 2CV
Duration: 2 hours
See the classic sites of Paris on a 2-hour driving tour, traveling by vintage Citroen 2CV with retractable roof. Cruise down the Avenue des Champs…
Paris: 1.5-Hour Wine Tasting Workshop
Duration: 1.5 hours
Discover the best France has to offer. Taste several wines and champagnes as selected by sommeliers. Learn the basics of appreciating wine in the…
Paris: Full-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Classic Tour & Cruise
Valid: 1 day
This hop-on hop-off bus tour of Paris includes more than 50 key points of interest all around the city. Your ticket also includes a 1-hour…
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5 architectural facts about the Palais Garnier
Charles Garnier created an opulent cathedral for the bourgeois when his opera house was finished in 1875, and it quickly became about more than just the performances. Here's how the architect made being seen as important as the seeing itself!
It begins with "Haussmann the Demolisher"
Napoleon III wanted Paris' archaic streets to reflect the glory of the French Empire. To do this, he hired Baron Haussmann to tear much of the city down and rebuild from scratch.
Charles Garnier won a contest to design it
After surviving an assassination attempt outside the previous opera house, Napoleon III announced a competition to design one for Paris' new, less-secluded streets.
The foyer is huge for a reason
In creating such a spectacular foyer, adorned with marble, mosaics, and chandeliers, Garnier was setting aside as much space for socializing as for the performances themselves!
Nobody was sure in what style it was being built
While the simplistic yet grandiose design was commended, few knew for what style it was aiming. When the Empress Eugénie asked, Garnier replied, "Why Ma'am, in Napoleon Trois!"
Its dome holds a valuable secret
The cupola that crowns the opera house is a "false dome." It covers another, the space between which can retract the grand 7-ton chandelier hanging over the auditorium!
Our insider tips
What are the opening times?
The Palais Garnier is open for visitors to wander around or take a tour from 10:00AM to 5:00PM most days. Due to performances and rehearsals, however, some access may be limited. You can check for exceptional closure information at visitepalaisgarnier.fr.
How to get there?
The Palais Garnier is located outside the Metro stop Opéra on lines 3, 7, and 8. It can also be reached via numerous bus routes: 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, and 95.
Good to know
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- When should I visit?
- 10:00AM to 5:00PM most days.
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- Is it expensive?
- An adult ticket to visit the Palais is just 10.00 €.
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- Will I need a guide?
- It will definitely help. Might be worth it to check out our best-selling tours.
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- How to get there
- Take Metro lines 3, 7 or 8 to the Opéra stop, or one of the numerous buses that runs by.
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- Additional information
- ** There are occasional exceptional closures, so check the official website and plan ahead!*
What people are saying about Palais Garnier
We had an absolutely amazing tour guide Marie
We had an absolutely amazing tour guide, I believe her name was Marie, a tiny/skinny girl with sparkling personality (dark trouser maroon top, group A at 11 am on 10/6). She made this visit very colored with positive emotions!!!
Really enjoyed our tour of the Paris Opera
They were late getting started but the tour was really interesting and gave us a lot of historical information as well as interesting facts about the Opera. We had time at the conclusion to wander around and see more in depth.
Interior of Opera Garnier is magnificent!
We booked a visit to Opera Garnier at the last minute, and were so glad we did. Through each doorway was a scene more beautiful than the last. Both of us find it a stunning comparison to the palace at Versailles.
An excellent way to see the main sights in Paris
Combined with a boat trip this was a great way to see Paris. We went right round once and then decided where we wanted to go back to and used the hop on hop off facilty to travel around. Very good commentary.
Very interesting history about the opera house & Paris!
4 stars because the tour itself was perhaps 30 minutes too long. Our guide was clearly very passionate and knowledgeable about the opera house and it’s history; it can be condensed.
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