Is the Palais Garnier Opera House Paris Worth Visiting? (2024)
Considering visiting the Palais Garnier? It’s no secret that Paris is full of an abundance of world-renowned landmarks. However, if you have a short amount of time in the city, you may be overwhelmed trying to plan the perfect itinerary and wondering is the Palais Garnier is worth visiting. In this post, I’ll share my personal experience, provide insights into what you can anticipate, and hopefully help you decide whether or not to visit the Opera Garnier!
Is the Palais Garnier Worth Visiting? (2024)
The Palais Garnier or Paris Opera House, is the largest Opera House in Europe. And, after exploring the captivating halls of the Opera Garnier, I wholeheartedly believe that this iconic landmark is an absolute must-visit for any traveler. Think of it like the Louvre or Eiffel Tower. Everyone visits even if they have no true interest in learning about the history or seeing specific works of art. In this sense, everyone should visit even if they aren’t the biggest performing arts enthusiast.
That said, I know that visiting the Opera House in Paris may genuinely not be worth it for some people lol. So below, you’ll find a few cases in which I think Palais Garnier is worth visiting and a few cases in which you may want to skip it.
The Palais Garnier Is Worth Visiting If…
You want to discover one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Paris. I know that was a very subjective statement to make, but as I said earlier, this is a building that should be seen by everyone. From the mesmerizing grand staircase adorned with marble and gold to the majestic auditorium with its exquisite chandelier and velvet red seats, every corner of the Opera Garnier exudes a sense of grandiosity and artistry that is truly unparalleled.
Not only that, but the building serves as a living testament to the Parisian culture and its enduring love affair with the arts. There are so many hidden secrets and stories entrenched in the walls of Palais Garnier. It provides visitors an opportunity to connect to an era full of grandeur, elegance, and extravagance.
Lastly, I recommend visiting for anyone who loves the Phantom of the Opera. Personally, the Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite stories ever. As a result, coming to Palais Garnier and getting to see the Phantom’s box and hear about pieces that inspired the story was an incredible experience. Thus, if you are a history aficionado, an architecture enthusiast, a lover of the performing arts, or a fan of the Phantom of the Opera, then the legendary Palais Garnier is likely worth visiting!
The Palais Garnier Is Not Worth Visiting If…
Honestly, there’s almost no scenario in which I wouldn’t recommend visiting the Palais Garnier. 😂 Like to me, it was that impressive…
But, if you have zero interest in admiring the architecture and the performing arts, then yeah it may be worth skipping. The entire duration of your visit, you’ll be walking around the areas open to the public, observing the architecture, and imagining what it must have been like to attend a performance centuries ago. Or, if you go on a tour, you’ll be doing that and listening to your guide speak about the history and origins of the building. 😅 So, if that doesn’t sound appealing, then it may be worth skipping.
Another case in which you may want to skip it is if you’re short on time. This applies to every attraction in Paris. But, for those who are passionate about the performing arts and keen on fully exploring this wonderful building, I highly recommend taking a tour. The only thing is that there are very limited spots for the tours.
Therefore, if you can’t secure a spot on a tour and your only option is for a general entry ticket, I would maybe hold off until your next visit to Paris. That’s what I did because I wanted to discover the Palais Garnier all at once. Again, these are just my opinions. Take everything with a heap of salt!
Palais Garnier Tours & Tickets
Is the Palais Garnier Free? Unfortunately, Palais Garnier is not free to enter. You can either purchase a general entrance ticket and opt to complete a self-guided tour, or you can take a guided tour through Palais Garnier. Below are different ticket options you can select from.
- A regular entry ticket for a self-guided tour of Palais Garnier
- A bundled ticket: entry to Palais Garnier plus 1-hour cruise on the Seine
- The private 2-hour tour explores the Opera House & Galeries-Lafayette
- Guided large group tour run by the Opera House
Best Time to Visit the Palais Garnier
For those who opt to do a self-guided visit, the best time to visit the Palais Garnier is during the week, right when the Paris Opera House opens at 10 AM. This is when you’ll have the best chance of avoiding crowds and having a slightly more intimate experience.
Oh and please note: Despite the website saying that the last entry time is 4:45 PM, I highly suggest not showing up any later than 4:30 PM. When I visited, they turned people with a general entry ticket away before 4:45 PM and told them to come back the next day.
Meanwhile, for those who go with a guided tour, I highly recommend reserving an after-hours tour! Getting to explore Palais Garnier when it’s mostly empty and there’s a small fraction of the number of people who are there during the day is an absolute delight. Also, it does wonders for actually hearing what your guide has to say haha!
🎭 PRO TIP: If you opt to do a tour offered by the Opera House, reserve your tickets ASAP! They almost ALWAYS sell out well in advance! I was extremely lucky to find a tour for 4 days later because when I booked, they were almost completely sold out for the next two weeks!
How Long Does It Take to Walk Through Palais Garnier?
With a guided tour, it can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours to walk through Palais Garnier, depending on the tour you select. If you opt to do a self-guided tour, you can spend as much or as little time as you’d like. The optional audioguide that’s available as an add-on lasts 1.5 hours. So, to be on the safe side, I’d plan on two hours! But you can of course rush through in about 45 minutes if you had to.
7 Interesting Palais Garnier Facts
For those who want a sneak peek of what you may learn on a guided tour or are simply keen on learning a bit of background information on the history of Palais Garnier… here are 7 interesting Palais Garnier Facts!
1. Why Was the Palais Garnier Built?
Before the Palais Garnier was built, the Opéra de Paris resided in a temporary building known as the Salle Le Peletier. Aside from the location already being temporary, this location proved to have another monumental flaw that was exposed in 1858.
During a visit to the Salle Le Peletier for a concert, Napoleon III and Empress Eugènie narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. Three bombs exploded, causing chaos and resulting in the loss of eight lives. This event provided urgency to construct a new opera house in a more secure and spacious location that would allow for a private entrance for the head of the state. Thus, it was an assassination attempt combined with the inadequate facilities of the previous building that prompted the Palais Garnier to be built.
2. Palais Garnier Architect
While many people know of the Opera House in Paris, the name of the architect, Charles Garnier, is lesser-known. This is because Garnier was essentially the equivalent of being plucked from obscurity. Let me explain. In December of 1860, Emperor Napoleon III officially announced an architectural design competition for the design of the new opera house. Over 170 proposals were submitted, with several world-renowned architects vying for the opportunity to design the new Paris Opera House.
Despite the stiff competition, Charles Garnier found himself ranked last among the five finalists who would move on to the second part of the competition. And, it was during the second half of the competition that Garnier found himself as the final contender in the competition. This was because he decided to take a bold approach, transforming his plans into a grandiose structure that deviated from strict classical conventions, adopting a more eclectic and expressive style.
Other works by Garnier you may encounter include the Nice Observatory in lovely Nice, France, and the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, which is part of Monaco‘s famed casino.
3. Palais Garnier Architecture
The Palais Garnier was designed in what Garnier referred to as the “Napoleon III” style. This architectural style embraces eclecticism, drawing inspiration from various historical periods. As such, you can observe a harmonious blend of Baroque, Palladian classicism, and Renaissance elements.
In addition, throughout the Palais Garnier, you’ll find lots of hidden details and symbolic elements. For instance, symbolism in the form of chords and lyres can be found in various parts of the opera house… And, near the entrance, you can find Charles Garnier’s name, profession, and the year the Opera House was completed discreetly inscribed on the ceiling! From its intricate detailing to the subtle symbolism woven into its design, the opera house is a treasure trove of architectural wonders and hidden delights!
4. Grand Staircase Palais Garnier
Arguably the most well-known image of the Opera House in Paris of the Grand Staircase. Crafted from exquisite white marble and adorned with a striking balustrade of red and green marble, the staircase splits into two divergent flights that gracefully lead to the Grand Foyer.
Above, you’ll see intricate and vivid paintings by Isidore Pils. A little fun fact is that the initial paintings were deemed too dark for the space just two months before the grand opening. As such, Pils and his students undertook the challenging task of reworking the canvases. However, Pils fell ill, leaving his students to complete the work.
The Herculean effort paid off when the paintings were finished the day before the opening, allowing the scaffolding to be removed and revealing the resplendent masterpiece above. Both in the past and for modern-day society, ascending the grand ceremonial staircase of the Palais Garnier is one of the highlights of the evening.
5. Palais Garnier Foyer
Next to the grand staircase and main stage itself, one of the most famous rooms is the Palais Garnier Foyer. When you see this room for the first time, the beauty and grandeur of the room will take your breath away. And, those who have visited the Sun King’s home will immediately notice this room’s striking resemblance to the opulent Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.
During the 19th century, the grand hall within the Palais Garnier served as an elegant drawing room for Parisian society. And you’ll notice a contrasting bit of light and shadow/smokiness around the room which evokes an air of enigma. I can only imagine the elegant dresses and suits the aristocrats wore here. They probably gave the Italians a run for their money in the fashion department. 🫢
Architecturally speaking, the foyer spans an impressive 18 meters in height, 54 meters in length, and 13 meters in width. Looking up at the ceiling, you can admire a masterpiece by Paul-Jacques-Aimé Baudry, which reveals significant moments in the history of music.
Adjacent to the foyer, there are two octagonal salons with ceilings painted by Jules-Élie Delaunay and Félix-Joseph Barrias. And, a little hidden gem is that Garnier himself is depicted in this room… but I’ll leave it to you to find out where when, and if you visit! 😉
6. Palais Garnier Phantom of the Opera
For many people around the globe, including myself, the Palais Garnier is near and dear to our hearts because it’s the setting for Gaston Leroux’s acclaimed novel, The Phantom of the Opera. And, what many people don’t know is that several real-life events that unfolded at the renowned Palais Garnier inspired bits and pieces of The Phantom of the Opera.
One notable example is the falling chandelier. During a performance at the Parisian Opera House in 1896, the opera’s chandelier plummeted from the ceiling due to a short circuit issue. This tragic accident proved fatal for one woman and caused injuries to numerous others. You may recall in the novel, the phantom orchestrates the fall of the chandelier.
Similarly, Leroux created the character of the Phantom based on a couple of real-life individuals associated with the Palais Garnier. One source was a pianist who suffered disfigurement during a fire that ravaged the Salle Le Peletier, the predecessor to the Palais Garnier, in 1873. The other story that Leroux drew from was the disappearance of an assistant to Charles Garnier during the construction of the opera house.
As you can see, bits and pieces of real-life stories were used to generate the haunting presence and enigmatic persona of the Phantom that many of us have come to know and love. Today, the Phantom of the Opera serves not only as a connection to real-life events of the past but also has immortalized the reputation of the Paris Opera House as one of the most famous and beloved cultural landmarks in the world.
7. Underground Lake Palais Garnier
The last fun fact about the Palais Garnier is that it has an underground lake right beneath the stage! During the excavation of the Palais Garnier in Paris between August and December 1861, an unexpected challenge arose. There was flooding due to the high groundwater level at the site. Despite immense efforts to lower the water level by pumping water out 24/7, not all the water was able to be removed.
To overcome this issue, Charles Garnier devised a brilliant engineering solution—a double foundation. This innovative design included a watercourse and a massive concrete cistern (casing) to oppose the pressure from the external groundwater and serve as a reservoir in case of fire. Think of it as a counterbalance.
And, it was this underground lake that inspired a key plot point in Gaston Leroux’s iconic novel, “The Phantom of the Opera.” You’ll recall that Christine and the Phantom use a boat to cross the misty waters of the underground lake, more than once…
Unfortunately, you won’t have a chance to see the lake up close. But, when you walk past the main stage, you can *peer into the darkness* underneath with the knowledge that the lake is not too far below.
- A regular entry ticket for a self-guided tour of Palais Garnier
- A bundled ticket: entry to Palais Garnier plus 1-hour cruise on the Seine
- The private 2-hour tour explores the Opera House & Galeries-Lafayette
- Guided large group tour run by the Opera House
Where to Stay in Paris
If you haven’t booked housing for your stay in Paris yet, here are some places worth considering staying at. These are places I’ve researched and stayed at during my many trips to Paris! Each place has a high rating and is conveniently located within a 10-minute walk of a metro station!
Hostel Stay
- The People Paris Nation — Lively hostel w/ scenic rooftop bar | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Check out my review of the hostel here
- The People Paris Marais — Nice hostel near Notre Dame | ⭐️ 8.7 / 10
Low-Cost Stay
- Hôtel Vic Eiffel — Boutique 3-star hotel with terrace | ⭐️ 8.7 / 10
- The Tribe Saint Ouen — Trendy 4-star hotel I enjoyed staying at! | ⭐️ 8.7 / 10
- See my full review of this new hotel here
Mid-Range Stay
- Chouchou Hotel — Super fun and eclectic 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
- Hôtel Moderniste — Chic 4-star hotel w/ private balconies I loved! | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
Luxury Stays
- Hôtel Le Walt Paris — 4-star hotel w/ Eiffel Tower views | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
- InterContinnental Paris Le Grand — 5-star hotel by Opera Garnier | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris — Luxurious 5-star hotel | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Alternatively, feel free to use the interactive map below to search additional housing options. You can input your specific travel dates and the number of people in your party for even more accurate prices 🙂
Palais Garnier: FAQ
Yes, the Paris Opera House is open to the public every day from 10 AM to 5 PM. That said, it occasionally closes when there are daytime performances. The last entry is at 4:15 PM.
No, the Palais Garnier is not free. You can purchase an individual ticket for a self-guided tour here. Or, you can join a guided tour, which gives you an in-depth understanding of the secrets and history of the Opera House!
A Paris Opera House tour can last 1 – 1.5 hours. The one I did was 1.5 hours, and I wish it were longer because there’s so much fascinating history to uncover.
If you purchase just an entry ticket for a self-guided tour, I recommend allotting 1.5 – 2 hours for your Palais Garnier visit. The audio guide, which you can add on-site for €6.5 or ~$7.15 USD, lasts 1.5 hours.
The Palais Garnier was built from 1862 – 1875. It was officially open to the public on January 5th, 1875.
The Palais Garnier is in the 9th arrondissement.
I recommend visiting the Louvre, ascending to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the impressive Arc de Triomphe, partaking in the famous French gastronomic scene, wandering around the streets of Montmartre, and visiting the Musée de l’Orangerie. Oh, and, my favorite day trip is to Monet’s House and Gardens in the charming town of Giverny! But, many love visiting the opulent château that is Versailles 😉
Wrap-Up: Is the Palais Garnier Worth Visiting? (2024)
Ultimately, I believe a visit to the Palais Garnier or Paris Opera House is an absolute must for anyone with a passion for breathtaking architecture, uncovering hidden stories, and connecting with the past. Not to mention, this is a chance to witness one of the world’s most famous opera houses up close and personal! Of course, like the city of Paris, the Palais Garnier may not be everyone’s cup of tea. So, whether you visit or not, I hope this post has been insightful and helped you decide whether or not the Paris Opera House is worth visiting.
✅ 🎭 Click to book your entry ticket for the Palais Garnier or get a bundle ticket for the Opera House & a 1-hour Seine cruise ⛴
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