Description
The Palais Garnier was built as a stage for 19th-century society as much as for music, and a guided tour is the best way to read it. The Palais Garnier guided tour comes in three versions, lasting from 45 to 90 minutes, so you can pick the depth that suits you.
Your guide brings the Belle Epoque to life through the architect, Charles Garnier, and the building's influences, which include the Louvre and Versailles. You see the grand staircase that leads up to the auditorium and the public rooms and spaces around it.
- a classic guided visit of the Palais Garnier and its history
- a Belle Epoque visit focused on the social life of the opera
- a visit outside the opening hours for the general public, in a quieter atmosphere, about the secrets of the Paris Opera
You collect a voucher, so there is nothing to print. Exchange it at the guided-tour counter inside the Opera, at the corner of rue Scribe and rue Auber behind the statue of Garnier, and meet your guide there. Wear comfortable shoes, and note that photos are allowed without flash. Private areas and performance tickets are not included.