Get ready to be amazed by the architectural marvel that is the Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera House. It’s open every day from 10 am to 4 pm, unless there are any special closures. You can check the calendar for any specific dates. The monument itself closes at 5 pm, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly!
Planning Your Visit
Keep in mind that the auditorium might be closed due to performances, so some areas may be off-limits to visitors. To see the most up-to-date information about access and schedules, just click on a date on the online booking system.
Important note: Due to the large number of visitors, online booking is the only way to guarantee entry to the Palais Garnier.
Booking Your Tickets
You have several ways to secure your tickets for this breathtaking experience:
- Online: Click the “BOOK” button and you’ll be guided to create a Paris Opera account (or log in if you’re already a member).
- By phone: Call 08 92 89 90 90 (0,35€/min) from within France, or +33 1 71 25 24 23 from outside France. They’re available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm.
- At the Palais Garnier: Visit their desks, open daily from 11 am to 4 pm.
- Automatic terminals: Located in the Palais Garnier’s hall (ticketing area). You can pay with credit cards only.
Special Ticket Offers
Want to save some money? Here are some reduced rates and free ticket options available:
- Family offer: Get a special deal for four tickets, including one for a young person between 12 and 25 years old.
- Reduced partner rate: If you have any of these, you qualify for a reduced rate:
- A valid Opera subscriber card.
- A visit ticket for the Bastille Opera (less than a year old).
- A ticket for the Musée d’Orsay or Musée Gustave Moreau (purchased within the last 8 days).
- The Pass Navigo, Pass senior, or Imagine’R card (show your Navigo Certificate of subscription).
- Free tickets: These categories can enjoy free entry:
- Children under 12: Let the little ones explore the magic of the Palais Garnier.
- People with disabilities: They receive free entry and one companion can join them for free.
- Unemployed and recipients of social assistance: Bring a document dated within the last three months.
- Free partners: If you have any of these, you’re entitled to free entry:
- The Pass’ Jeunes Opéra.
- A valid Young Adult Opera subscriber card.
- The AROP Particulier card.
- The Carte Culture issued by the French Ministry of Culture (valid for two people).
- The Bibliothèque nationale de France’s reader’s card (admission to the reading room of the Opera’s Library-museum).
- French professional tour guide card: Contact the groups and professionals department at [email protected] to arrange a visit.
Accessibility
The Palais Garnier is committed to making the experience enjoyable for everyone. However, some areas are not accessible for people with reduced mobility, including:
- Temporary exhibitions’ area: Be sure to check if you’ll be visiting one of these.
- The shop: Plan accordingly if you want to browse the souvenirs.
Discover the Palais Garnier
Get ready to be swept away by the grandeur of the Palais Garnier! Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you:
- Guided Tours: Immerse yourself in the architecture, history, legends, and secrets of Charles Garnier’s masterpiece. The multimedia tour takes 90 minutes and features archival images and interviews with experts on the Opera and its history.
- Augmented Reality Experience: Imagine exploring the most iconic and normally inaccessible areas, like the Foyer de la Danse and the Costume Depository! Thanks to augmented reality, you can experience them firsthand.
- Interactive Plan: Follow the suggested route or explore the Palais Garnier at your own pace. The interactive plan will guide you through the incredible spaces.
- Children’s Tour: Join Zoe, the ballerina of the Opera, for a 1-hour interactive tour designed for children (6 to 13 years old). They’ll have a blast with games throughout the tour.
- Specialized Tours: For blind or partially-sighted visitors, there is an audioguide tour in French (1h15 duration). For deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors, an iPad mini tour is available in French Sign Language (1h30 duration).
Highlights of the Palais Garnier
Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning features of the Palais Garnier:
- The Rotunde du Glacier: Walk into a beautiful rotunda with a bright, fresh atmosphere. The ceiling, painted by Clairin, showcases dancing bacchantes, fauna, tapestries, and scenes of fishing and hunting. It transports you to the elegant Belle Époque era.
- The Avant-Foyer: Gaze upon shimmering mosaics on a gold background adorning the vault. The view of the Grand Staircase is a breathtaking spectacle.
- The Grand Foyer: The vast dimensions of the Grand Foyer are magnified by the play of light between mirrors and windows. Admire the ceiling, painted by Paul Baudry, which tells the stories of music history.
- Symbol of the Lyre: The lyre is the dominant design element, gracing capitals, heating grids, and doorknobs.
- Charles Garnier’s Bust: Find a copy of the sculptor Carpeaux’s bust of Charles Garnier in the center of the foyer, near a window offering a captivating view down the Avenue de l’Opera towards the Louvre. The loggia provides an even more remarkable perspective.
- Salons du Soleil et de la Lune: These salons, with their symbolic and poetic character, gracefully transition you to other areas of the Palais Garnier.
Ready to embark on a journey into the world of art, history, and architectural splendor? Visit the Palais Garnier and let your imagination soar!
