Get ready to be enchanted by the Palais Garnier, a stunning example of architectural brilliance! This iconic Parisian landmark welcomes visitors with open arms, offering a glimpse into the world of opera and ballet.
Here’s a sneak peek at what awaits you:
- Open Hours: The Palais Garnier is open from 10 am to 4 pm, except during closures, which you can find on their calendar. Remember, the monument closes at 5 pm.
- Accessibility: Be aware that the auditorium is not always open to the public due to theater performances. Additionally, some areas might be closed. You can find the latest details on the official website or by clicking on the date you plan to visit.
- Online Booking: Due to the popularity of the Palais Garnier, online booking is strongly recommended to secure your entrance. It guarantees your spot within the magnificent halls.
A Deeper Dive into the Palais Garnier’s Treasures
To make your journey even more enriching, we’ve compiled essential information about exploring the Palais Garnier’s hidden wonders.
Exploring the Palais Garnier: Access and Rates
- Reduced Rates: The Palais Garnier offers a reduced rate for individual self-guided visitors over 25 years old. However, this rate does not apply if the auditorium is closed.
- Booking Methods: You can book your tickets for the next 60 days via the following methods:
- Online: Simply click the “BOOK” button, create a Paris Opera account (or log in if you’re already registered).
- By Phone: Call 08 92 89 90 90 (0,35€/min) within France or +33 1 71 25 24 23 from outside France. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm.
- At the Palais Garnier: Visit the desks, open daily from 11 am to 4 pm, or use the automatic terminals located in the Palais Garnier’s hall, accepting credit cards only.
- Reduced and Free Tickets: If you qualify for reduced rates or free admission, bring valid proof of eligibility and an identity document for verification at the entrance. These categories include:
- Family Offer: For 4 paying tickets, including one for a young person between 12 and 25 years old.
- Reduced Partner Rate: For holders of a valid Opera subscriber card, a Bastille Opera visit ticket (less than a year old), a Musée d’Orsay or Musée Gustave Moreau ticket (purchased within the last 8 days), Pass Navigo, Pass senior or Imagine’R card (with a Navigo Certificate of subscription).
- Free Admission: For children under 12, individuals with disabilities and one helper, the unemployed receiving social assistance or minimum social benefits (with a document dated within the last 3 months), and holders of 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), and the French professional tour guide card (rate available upon request).
Accessibility for Everyone
The Palais Garnier strives to make the experience accessible to all. However, keep in mind that the temporary exhibitions’ area and the shop are not accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Unveiling the Palais Garnier’s Magic: Immersive Tours
Embark on a journey into the heart of the Palais Garnier with their guided tours, available daily from 10 am to 3:30 pm (10 am to 4:30 pm in August).
- Multimedia Voyage: Delve into the architecture, history, legends, and secrets of this architectural masterpiece. A captivating 90-minute multimedia tour, enriched with archival images and interviews with experts, unveils the Opera’s fascinating history.
- Augmented Reality: Experience the most iconic and inaccessible areas, such as the Foyer de la Danse and the Costume Depository, through the magic of augmented reality.
- Explore at Your Own Pace: Discover the Auditorium, admire Marc Chagall’s ceiling, lose yourself in the Grand Foyer’s paintings, and marvel at the façade.
- Guided Routes: Follow a suggested route or explore the Palais Garnier independently, using the interactive plan for guidance.
- Zoé’s Tour: Let Zoé, a ballerina of the Opera, lead you on an interactive tour of Charles Garnier’s architectural masterpiece.
- Interactive Tour for Kids: Engage your children (6 to 13 years old) with an exciting 1-hour interactive tour filled with games.
- Specialized Tours: The Palais Garnier offers tours specifically tailored for visitors with disabilities. Audioguides (1h15, available in French) are available for blind or partially-sighted visitors, and iPads with French Sign Language (1h30) are available for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors.
The Beauty Within: Architectural Delights
Step into a world of artistic grandeur and let the Palais Garnier’s architectural marvels captivate you.
- Rotunde du Glacier: Admire this stunning rotunda, featuring a ceiling painted by Clairin (1843-1919), depicting dancing bacchantes, fauna, and tapestries showcasing various refreshments, fishing, and hunting scenes.
- Avant-Foyer: Marvel at the Avant-Foyer’s shimmering mosaic vault, adorned with colors against a gold background.
- Grand Staircase: Be mesmerized by the spectacular view of the Grand Staircase, its elegance enhanced by the interplay of light between mirrors and windows.
- Grand Foyer: Gaze upon the Grand Foyer’s magnificent ceiling painted by Paul Baudry (1828-1886), depicting themes from the history of music.
- Lyre Motif: Notice the lyre motif, a recurring element in the decorative vocabulary, adorning capitals, heating grids, and doorknobs.
- Charles Garnier’s Bust: Discover a copy of Charles Garnier’s bust by sculptor Carpeaux (1827-1875) in the center of the foyer, near a window overlooking Avenue de l’Opera.
- Salons du Soleil et de la Lune: Embrace the symbolic and poetic transition to other areas in the Salons du Soleil et de la Lune.
The Palais Garnier: A Symphony of Art and History
The Palais Garnier is a true masterpiece, a harmonious blend of artistry and history. It is a place where opera and ballet come alive, where architectural grandeur meets artistic brilliance. Whether you’re an opera enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking an unforgettable cultural experience, the Palais Garnier promises a captivating journey. Come and be amazed by its magic!
