{"id":1258973,"date":"2021-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/?p=1258973"},"modified":"2025-07-09T17:02:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T15:02:07","slug":"bookshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/en\/bookshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris Opera Garnier: history, architecture and essential facts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Opera Garnier: history, art and the charm of its architecture<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n

The Opera Garnier: elegance and history just a few steps from the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. The Op\u00e9ra Garnier<\/b>, also known as the Palais Garnier<\/b> or Paris Opera<\/b>, is one of the most emblematic buildings in the French capital. Located in one of the most elegant districts of Paris and just a few steps from Galeries Lafayette, it is a must-see due to its majesty and the mysterious anecdotes that lie behind its walls. Its beauty and mystery have served as inspiration<\/strong> over the years. In fact, the famous novel The Phantom of the Opera<\/em><\/strong> was inspired by it.<\/p>\n\n

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A bit of history: the Opera Garnier and its architectural importance<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n

The Opera Garnier<\/b> was born as the result of the renovation plan launched by Emperor Napoleon III<\/b>. After an attack on the opera house on Rue Le Peletier in 1858, he considered it necessary to build a new one that would offer more security to the public.<\/p>\n\n

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Origin and construction of the Opera Garnier<\/h3>\n\n

However, it was not until 1861<\/b> that the emperor announced a competition to design a new theatre<\/b>. This would form part of the ambitious urban renewal plan, for which Napoleon III commissioned Baron Haussmann<\/b>. The aim was to create a unique building capable of symbolising the grandeur of the Second Empire.<\/p>\n\n

Against all odds, it was the young architect Charles Garnier<\/b>, at that time virtually unknown, who emerged victorious.<\/b><\/p>\n\n

The construction of the Op\u00e9ra Garnier was no easy task<\/b> and took a long time. He had to face all kinds of problems<\/b>, from structural<\/b> issues (due to the shallow water table where the foundations had to be laid) to budgetary<\/b> problems and those arising from wars<\/b>, such as the Franco-Prussian War, the fall of the Empire and the events of the Paris Commune.<\/p>\n\n

The Paris Opera House was inaugurated on 5 January 1875,<\/b> after a first failed attempt in 1867. The opening ceremony took place under the Third Republic<\/b> (by then, Napoleon III had already died) and with the Second Empire relegated to the past. The ceremony was attended by President Mar\u00e9chal Patrice de Mac-Mahon and famous personalities of the time. Charles Garnier<\/b> was present in a discreet background role. In fact, he was not officially invited to the ceremony\u2014probably because the new republican regime associated him with the former imperial power\u2014and had to buy his own tickets.<\/p>\n\n

The inauguration of the opera house was sober and tense<\/b>, as it was a work begun during the Second Empire but which would see the light of day under a republic that did not yet know how to deal with the imperial legacy.<\/p>\n\n

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If you travel to Paris, don’t forget to visit it. Afterwards, you can end the afternoon at the Galeries Lafayette<\/strong>, which is a few minutes’ walk away and has one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau domes in Paris. Every weekend, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann offers a guided tour<\/a><\/span>, in French or English, of this iconic place.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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An architectural marvel<\/h3>\n\n

The Op\u00e9ra Garnier is an architectural marvel<\/b> that perfectly represents the eclectic style of the Second Empire<\/strong>, with an unparalleled blend of classical, baroque and Renaissance influences. It was conceived as a work of art in which painting, sculpture, architecture and the finest craftsmanship converge.<\/p>\n\n

As soon as you see it, you will be struck by its golden pediments and Corinthian columns<\/b>. Inside, visitors are amazed by a magnificent circular foyer leading to a double helix staircase in white and green marble<\/b>. Also noteworthy are the impressive Hall of Mirrors and the library, now a museum<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n

But without a doubt, the greatest admiration falls on the main theatre<\/b>, which can seat 2,000 people and is crowned by an impressive dome. The opulence of its finishes is present throughout the room: the curtain, the carved furniture, the voluminous chandeliers and the golden details, which transport viewers to the majesty of the Second Empire.<\/p>\n\n

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Good to know!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After exploring the fascinating history of this iconic venue, what better way to treat yourself than with a well-deserved break? Just a few minutes’ walk away, <\/i>Galeries Lafayette Haussmann<\/i><\/b> welcomes you to <\/i>Lafayette Gourmet<\/i><\/b>, a veritable temple of French gastronomy. Whether you fancy a refined lunch, a quick snack or simply a coffee in an elegant setting, you’ll find everything you need to delight your taste buds here.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some interesting anecdotes about the Opera Garnier<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Behind the Op\u00e9ra Garnier lie incredible anecdotes and stories<\/b> that enchant Parisians and tourists alike. Here are some of the most interesting ones:<\/p>\n\n

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The underground lake and secret passageways<\/h3>\n\n

As we mentioned earlier, during the construction of the building, Garnier had to deal with significant structural problems<\/b> due to the water table<\/b> in the area. As it could not be drained, it was necessary to build numerous corridors and an artificial lake<\/b> to channel the water and keep the foundations afloat. This peculiarity inspired Gaston Leroux to write The Phantom of the Opera<\/i> in 1909.<\/p>\n\n

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Box number 5<\/h3>\n\n

If you are lucky enough to visit the Opera Garnier, you will notice a place in the shadows that has been shrouded in mystery for over a century: box number 5<\/b>. At first glance, it looks like just another box in the majestic opera house, but if you get closer, you may sense something different…<\/p>\n\n

And it’s no wonder, as this box<\/b> is permanently reserved<\/b> for a very special and elusive guest: Erik, the Phantom of the Opera<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n

In Gaston Leourx’s famous novel, published in 1910, Erik, the disfigured musical genius who inhabits the theatre’s passageways, demands that the opera directors reserve box number 5 for him at every performance as part of his pact of silence and protection.<\/p>\n\n

Since the book was published, the opera house has kept its promise, and not just in fiction. So, when you visit the Opera Garnier and look towards that spot, you may think that the box is empty. But don’t be too sure… who knows if the phantom is watching you from his seat?<\/p>\n\n

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From the double staircase and the main foyer to the forgotten foyer <\/h3>\n\n

If there is one image that remains etched in your memory when you visit the opera house, it is undoubtedly that of the double helix staircase leading into the theatre<\/strong>. On either side of the grand foyer \u2014 where high society used to show off their finery before entering the main hall \u2014 stands this imposing marble staircase<\/strong>, which combines the white<\/strong> of its low, spaced steps (so that ladies could climb gracefully despite their voluminous dresses) with the red<\/strong> of the balustrades and the magnificent green<\/strong> marble from Sweden.<\/p>\n\n

However, this is not the only entrance. There is a secondary staircase,<\/b> located on one side of the building, much less well known but just as elegant, which leads to a place with a name that could well have come from a novel: the forgotten foyer.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n\n

It was a direct entrance for spectators who rented a box or seat for the entire season<\/strong>. Thanks to this access, they could enter the opera house directly without having to pass through the main foyer. Thus, they could be seen at the opera… but enter unseen.<\/p>\n\n

Over time, these customs changed and this entrance fell into disuse. The opera staff began to call it \u201cle vestibule des abonn\u00e9s oubli\u00e9s\u201d<\/strong> (the forgotten subscribers’ foyer<\/strong>) or, more simply, \u201cthe forgotten foyer<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

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The Chagall dome<\/h3>\n\n

In 1964<\/strong>, Andr\u00e9 Malraux, the French Minister of Culture, commissioned the decoration of the dome of the main hall to the artist Marc Chagall<\/strong>, one of the most important painters of the 20th century. The aim was to modernise the image of the opera house and pay tribute to art and culture<\/strong>. The result<\/strong> was highly controversial;<\/b> in fact, it caused a real scandal, as the colourful and modern design of the fresco was rejected by the more traditional sectors.<\/p>\n\n

However, today, this dome is recognised as one of the best examples of contemporary art in a historic building.<\/p>\n\n

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Plan your visit to the Opera<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Visiting the Paris Opera is a unique experience for anyone travelling to the French capital. Not only will you fall in love with its wonderful architecture, but its stories and mysteries will captivate you forever. To make your visit a success, you should know that there are different ways to access<\/b> the opera house.<\/p>\n\n