Palais Garnier

About this place

Built from 1861 to 1875 at the initiative of Napoleon III, this opera house reflects the confidence and display of 19th-century Paris. Architect Charles Garnier made the building itself part of the theatrical experience, using elaborate decoration to give arriving audiences a ceremonial setting. Its later association with The Phantom of the Opera added another cultural layer. Look beyond the auditorium to the spaces where spectators gathered and circulated. The monument reveals that attending the opera was also a social occasion, with architecture providing a stage for the audience.