Frequently Asked Questions about Palais Garnier in 2025

Q: What is special about Palais Garnier?

Palais Garnier is an architectural masterpiece and an excellent example of the Beaux-Arts style, characterized by its lavish decorations, marble paneling, gilded ornamentation and finely crafted frescoes and sculptures. The construction of the opera house was commissioned by Napoleon III and was part of the extensive urban renewal under Georges-Eugène Haussmann in the mid-19th century. The house is known to many through Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera.

Q: What is under Palais Garnier?

There is a small lake under Palais Garnier. During the construction of the opera house, Charles Garnier noticed that the groundwater was very high and decided to build an underground lake as a water reservoir to solve the problem. This artificial lake served as the foundation for the building and helped keep the groundwater stable. The lake also served as inspiration for Gaston Leroux when he wrote "The Phantom of the Opera." In the story, the Phantom lives in the catacombs of the opera house, near this lake. In real life, the lake is still used today by the Paris Fire Department for diving training. >> Read here about the attractions inside Palais Garnier.

Q: Can I go to the roof of Palais Garnier?

No, the roof of Palais Garnier is not open to the public. A visit to the roof would certainly be spectacular, but is not permitted for safety and preservation reasons.

Q: How many spectators fit into Palais Garnier?

Palais Garnier seats about 1,900 spectators . The auditorium is known for its magnificent design, including the impressive eight-ton chandelier and ceiling fresco painted by artist Marc Chagall. The number of seats may vary depending on the type of performance and seating, but the number given indicates the usual capacity for opera and ballet performances. >> Find more fascinating facts here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Palais Garnier

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Palais Garnier (Opéra Garnier), covering everything from general questions to transportation and practical tips.
Find quick answers to all your Palais Garnier questions, from access to etiquette, in our handy FAQ guide.
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Frequently Asked Questions about Palais Garnier

The entry ticket grants access to various public areas, encompassing the Opera’s Library-Museum, the Rotonde des Abonnés, the Bassin de la Pythie, the Grand Escalier, the Grand Foyer and the Avant Foyer, the Salons de la lune et du soleil, and the Rotonde du Glacier with its tapestries. However, please note that access to the auditorium may be restricted or impossible at times due to technical and/or artistic reasons.

>> Explore our comparison table and choose the ideal Palais Garnier ticket for your visit.

Palais Garnier is an architectural masterpiece and an excellent example of the Beaux-Arts style, characterized by its lavish decorations, marble paneling, gilded ornamentation and finely crafted frescoes and sculptures. The construction of the opera house was commissioned by Napoleon III and was part of the extensive urban renewal under Georges-Eugène Haussmann in the mid-19th century. The house is known to many through Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera.

There is a small lake under Palais Garnier. During the construction of the opera house, Charles Garnier noticed that the groundwater was very high and decided to build an underground lake as a water reservoir to solve the problem. This artificial lake served as the foundation for the building and helped keep the groundwater stable. The lake also served as inspiration for Gaston Leroux when he wrote “The Phantom of the Opera.” In the story, the Phantom lives in the catacombs of the opera house, near this lake. In real life, the lake is still used today by the Paris Fire Department for diving training.

>> Read here about the attractions inside Palais Garnier.

Yes, you can visit Palais Garnier. The opera house offers both guided and self-guided tours that allow visitors to admire the splendor of the interior, including the Grand Staircase, the auditorium (sometimes not accessible), the Avant Foyer and other impressive spaces. These tours offer the opportunity to learn interesting facts about the history, architecture and art of the building.

>> See Our Overview of the Best Ticket Options.

No, the roof of Palais Garnier is not open to the public. A visit to the roof would certainly be spectacular, but is not permitted for safety and preservation reasons.

Palais Garnier, also known as Opéra Garnier, was designed by French architect Charles Garnier. The building is named after him. Construction of Palais Garnier began in 1861 and was completed in 1875. The opera house was built as part of the large-scale urban redevelopment of Paris under Georges-Eugène Haussmann, commissioned by Napoleon III. Charles Garnier’s design was chosen after winning an architectural competition. The magnificent style of the building is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture.

Palais Garnier seats about 1,900 spectators. The auditorium is known for its magnificent design, including the impressive eight-ton chandelier and ceiling fresco painted by artist Marc Chagall. The number of seats may vary depending on the type of performance and seating, but the number given indicates the usual capacity for opera and ballet performances.

>> Find more fascinating facts here.

There is no compulsory dress code. However, we recommend dressing appropriately for the setting, i.e. not too casual or sporty. Flip-flops should be avoided. On gala evenings, gentlemen should wear a dark suit and ladies a dress.

CoCo restaurant at Palais Garnier welcomes guests both day and night, offering an à la carte menu for lunch (12pm-3pm), dinner (7pm-11pm), and weekend brunch. The entrance is situated on Place Jacques Rouché, to the right when facing the façade.

>> More information: Best Restaurants near Palais Garnier

Yes, Opéra Garnier was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1975 due to its outstanding architectural and cultural significance. The building is considered to be a masterpiece of Second Empire architecture and is a symbol of Parisian culture.

Book Palais Garnier Tickets & Tours

Explore below your Palais Garnier ticket options and pick from the finest selection:

Tickets to Opéra Garnier

4.3/5

1K+ Reviews

From €15

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Reserve now, pay later
Opéra Garnier entry ticket
Admission to the public areas of Opera Garnier
Smartphone ticket accepted
No cancellation

“Easy ordering and redemption without printing. Easy payment. Visiting the Paris Opera is so worth it. Highly recommended.”

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Opéra Garnier: Entry + Arsène Lupin Immersive Game

4.4/5

350+ Reviews

From €28

Tiqets

Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Admission to Opéra Garnier
Access to normally closed areas
Free Cancellation

“The puzzles are very cool, as is the setting. Great time…”

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Combo (Save 22%): Opera Garnier Tickets + 24/48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Paris

4.5/5

2.7K+ Reviews

From €54

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Instant confirmation
Combo Ticket
Opera Garnier Ticket
24 or 48-hr unlimited Hop-on Hop-off Tour
No Cancellation

“Second time of visit Opéra Garnier- early arrival was fantastic. Easy entrance and queuing wasn’t long. Booking was easy and quick.”

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Combo (Save 15%): Opéra Garnier Tickets + Seine River Paris Sightseeing Cruise

4.7/5

6.1K+ Reviews

From €30.93

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Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Admission to Opéra Garnier
One-hour boat ride on Seine river
No Cancellation

“Opera Garnier was beautiful and majestic!…”

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Facade of The Opera or Palace Garnier. Paris, France

Tickets to Opéra Garnier

4.3/5 (1K+ Reviews)

With this ticket, you’ll get skip the line access to the iconic Palais Garnier and its temporary exhibitions. Follow in the footsteps of the “Phantom of the Opera” and experience a true feast for the eyes, as the building is perhaps the most beautiful opera house in the world. Dazzling mosaics, colorful marble, and gilded decorations as far as the eye can see. A truly extravagant example of the architecture of the Second French Empire.

Entry to Opéra Garnier
Access to temporary exhibitions

Meeting point: Opéra Garnier, Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
Show your voucher at the Palais Garnier entrance (corner of Scribe and Auber).

Starting time: You need to choose a time slot of 1 hour for entry.

Duration: 2 Hours

Anastasia, April 2024

“Easy ordering and redemption without printing. Easy payment. Visiting the Paris Opera is so worth it. Highly recommended.”

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Starting at €15

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Headout

Reserve now, pay later
Opéra Garnier entry ticket
Admission to the public areas of Opera Garnier
Smartphone ticket
No Cancellation

The Opera Garnier of Paris and city roofs, France

Opéra Garnier: Entry + Arsène Lupin Immersive Game

4.4/5 (350+ Reviews)

This Palais Garnier admission ticket grants access to areas typically closed off to the public, as well as a mystery game. Tread in the footsteps of master detective Arsène Lupin and solve a tricky case at Palais Garnier. During the interactive game, explore the interior of the charming Beaux-Arts style building and delight in its lavish decorations, marble cladding, gilded ornaments, as well as intricately crafted frescoes and sculptures. Dive into an adventure in perhaps the most beautiful opera house in the world and playfully unveil the mystery surrounding the Count of Cagliostro.

Admission to Opéra Garnier
Brochure and pen for the game
Access to normally closed areas

Meeting point: Opéra Garnier, Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris

Starting time: You need to choose a time slot of 20 minutes.

Duration: 1.5 hours

5* Pascal, France, 8 Dec 2023, Verified customer

Very nice, my 10-year old daughter was delighted. It’s not easy to understand and find the riddles, the dad also had to rack his brains!
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5* Alice, France, 2 Nov 2023, Verified customer

Hello, I found this survey really cool, a little short to resolve everything because the initial explanations take 15 minutes and that’s what we missed, I was the only adult with 2 children aged 10 and 12. The puzzles are very cool, as is the setting. Great time.
>> See More Reviews

Starting at €28

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Tiqets

Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Admission to Opéra Garnier
Access to normally closed areas
Free Cancellation

Combo (Save 22%): Opera Garnier Tickets + 24/48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Paris

4.5/5 (2.7K+ Reviews)

This combo deal offers an Opera Garnier Ticket along with a Hop-on Hop-off Tour of Paris. Select from either a 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on-hop-off tour, granting you unlimited access to hop on or off at 10 strategic stops throughout Paris. Elevate your experience by adding a Seine River cruise, allowing you to discover the enchanting cityscape from both land and water.

Entry to Opera Garnier
Access to Opera Garnier’s temporary and permanent exhibitions
24/48-hr unlimited hop-on hop-off access
Audio guide for the bus tour in 6 languages
1-hour Seine River cruise (optional)

Addresses:
Palais Garnier Box Office: Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: You may choose to redeem your ticket at any of the bus stops on the Classic Red Route.

Duration of Opera Garnier Visit: Pick your entry time, stay as long as you like.

Gemma; Apr, 2024

“Second time of visit Opéra Garnier- early arrival was fantastic. Easy entrance and queuing wasn’t long. Booking was easy and quick.”

>> See More Reviews

Starting at €54

Check Availability

Headout

Instant confirmation
Combo Ticket
Opera Garnier Ticket
24 or 48-hr unlimited Hop-on Hop-off Tour
No Cancellation

Combo (Save 15%): Opéra Garnier Tickets + Seine River Paris Sightseeing Cruise

4.7/5 (6.1K+ Reviews)

This combo ticket includes admission to Palais Garnier, and a 1-hour Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise with audio guide. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Palais Garnier, a 19th-century Beaux-Arts masterpiece, and be captivated by colorful marble, dazzling crystal chandeliers, gilded ornaments, and finely crafted frescoes and sculptures.

Before or after, discover the attractions of the City of Love and Lights, such as Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, from a completely different perspective from the water. Listen to informative commentary on these unique icons as you gently glide past them.

Admission to Opéra Garnier
Access to temporary exhibitions
1-hour Bateaux Parisiens Seine River cruise (flexible ticket)
Audio guide in French, English, Hindi, Arabic, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean