Opera Garnier in Paris: how to get inside, opening hours and tickets

The Opera Garnier in Paris is one of the most recognizable theaters in the world: a striking facade, a grand staircase, and an auditorium with a crystal chandelier. A self-guided visit inside takes about an hour.

But lines and closures for rehearsals can easily disrupt your plans. We have put together the practical details: opening hours, prices, how to get there from the metro, and nearby attractions. You will understand whether a guided tour is worth it and when the auditorium is less crowded.

From the Opera metro station you can walk there in a couple of minutes, and the Louvre stands a kilometer to the south. It is a convenient starting point for a walk through the center.

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History of the Opera Garnier

💡 In short:

• The theater opened on January 5, 1875, 15 years after the project began.
• Inside you will see the grand staircase, a 1,979-seat auditorium, and the ceiling painted by Marc Chagall.
• Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the official website

The building's history began with an assassination attempt. On January 14, 1858, Napoleon III was traveling to the old opera house on Rue Le Peletier when a bomb exploded near his carriage. The emperor survived, but several people in his entourage died. After that, the old theater became a dangerous place for him.

Napoleon III commissioned the new opera house with wide driveways and a separate imperial entrance. The project was overseen by the prefect of Paris, Baron Haussmann. He announced a competition in which more than 150 architects took part. The winner was Charles Garnier, almost unknown at the time: his sketch impressed Haussmann with its scale (as of: Charles Garnier page). Garnier later called his style the "Napoleon III style."

The foundation was laid in the early 1860s, and an engineering trick came in handy here. The site near Place de l'Opera was marshy, and groundwater delayed construction for almost eight months. Garnier did not drain everything completely. He hid a water reservoir under the stage: it reinforces the foundation and also serves as a reserve in case of fire (as of 09/2026, official Opera website). This reservoir was later described as a "lake" beneath the opera house.

Construction took about 15 years. In 1871, during the Paris Commune, the unfinished building was used as a prison.

In 1989, the theater officially received the name Palais Garnier. Before that it was called the Paris Opera. In 2025, the building celebrated its 150th anniversary (as of 09/2026, Palais Garnier page).

A separate story is connected with the chandelier. In 1896, its counterweight broke through the ceiling and fell into the auditorium. This incident inspired Gaston Leroux to write the novel "The Phantom of the Opera."

Architecture of the Opera Garnier

Garnier worked with expensive materials: marble, bronze, gilding. Stone for the facade was brought from all over Europe and from colonies in Africa, which is why the shades of the cladding still differ. By design, the building is decorated with dozens of statues.

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The sculptures were created by Charles Gumery (allegories of Harmony and Poetry), Eugene-Louis Lequesne (pegasi on the sides of the pediment), and Aime Millet (Apollo with a lyre in his raised hand). Between the columns stand bronze busts of composers: Rossini, Auber, Beethoven, Mozart, Spontini, Meyerbeer, and Halevy.

This is eclecticism with neo-baroque features, and it is easy to recognize from a distance. Come to the facade in the evening: the lighting brings out the relief details clearly.

Interior of the Opera Garnier

Inside, the theater is no less impressive than the facade. The auditorium seats 1,979 people, and hundreds of performers can work on stage at the same time. You will see columns, statues of Greek gods, nymphs, and cupids, marble friezes, and baroque stucco.

The gold here is real. The dome, boxes, and foyers are covered with gold leaf, and the walls are finished with velvet. The center of the auditorium features a crystal chandelier weighing more than six tons.

© Miguel Hermoso Cuesta · CC BY-SAPhoto: Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The auditorium ceiling has been painted by Marc Chagall since 1964 (as of 09/2026, opera data). The walls display paintings, mirrors in gilded frames, and bas-reliefs of composers.

The main stops on the route inside: the grand staircase, the grand foyer, and the library-museum. On days without performances, guided tours are offered through the halls.

Tickets, tours, and opening hours

There are two ways to get inside: on a self-guided visit (visite libre) or in the evening with a performance ticket.

The self-guided tour ticket also covers the current exhibition. The price is in the lower double digits, and you will see the exact amount and available time slots when booking on the official website (as of 09/2026, operadeparis.fr). Book in advance: without a time slot, you risk waiting in line.

Opening hours: usually daily from 10:00 to 17:00, last entry around 16:30. The schedule changes due to rehearsals and performances, so check the website on the day of your visit (as of 09/2026, schedule on the opera website). Once a year there is a free open house day, "Tous à l'Opéra"; in 2026 it is scheduled for May 9 and requires a reservation (as of sortiraparis.com).

Guided tours run on a schedule and usually last about an hour and a half. The guide speaks several languages, and the service costs extra. You can book Palais Garnier tickets on GetYourGuide, where combined options are also sometimes available.

Performance ticket prices depend on the seat and the production. The cheapest categories sell out first, so buy early.

What to see nearby

Palais Garnier sits in a convenient central location. The Louvre is one kilometer to the south, and Place de la Concorde is to the southwest. The department stores on Boulevard Haussmann are right behind the Opera.

If you are getting tickets, Louvre skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide save time at the ticket office. They check your time slot at the entrance, so arrive at your assigned time.

How to get to Palais Garnier

The fastest way is by metro. The Opéra station is right next to the building, with several metro lines and RER A nearby. From the exit to the entrance is less than a two-minute walk.

From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Roissybus goes directly to the Opera. Another option: take RER B to Châtelet and transfer to the metro to Opéra. If you drive, expect traffic on the approaches to the center and look for parking in underground garages near the square.

Many tourist buses pass around the building. If you are arriving with a group, agree on a meeting point in advance: the main facade is always crowded.

Palais Garnier on the map

The building occupies the north side of Place de l'Opéra and is clearly visible from the boulevards. The map below helps you get oriented before your trip and find the nearest metro stations.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a Palais Garnier ticket cost?

For the exact price of a self-guided visit and available time slots, check the official website (as of 09/2026, official website). Performance tickets depend on the seat and the production.

What are Palais Garnier's opening hours?

The halls are usually open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. On performance days, self-guided visits are rescheduled or canceled.

Can you go inside without a tour?

Yes. A self-guided visit (visite libre) gives you access to the grand staircase, the foyers, and the auditorium. A regular ticket is enough for photos and the overall impression.

Who painted the auditorium ceiling?

The ceiling of the auditorium has been painted by Marc Chagall since 1964 (as of 09/2026, Palais Garnier website). Chagall's work became one of the main details of the interior.

How to get to Palais Garnier?

The nearest metro station, Opéra, is right next to the building. From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the direct Roissybus goes to the Opéra.

In short: what is worth booking

Palais Garnier combines a theater and a museum, so it is worth buying a ticket in advance and for a specific time.

• If you are in Paris for the first time: take a self-guided visit and come in the morning, when there are fewer people.
• If you want history and details: add a guided tour.
• If you are planning an evening: check the performance schedule.

Hotels near Place de l'Opéra are more expensive, but the entire city center is within walking distance. Compare hotels in Paris on Trip.com, check out Paris tours and museum tickets on Tiqets.