Touring Opera Garnier in Paris, FRANCE
Although I have been to Paris 6 or 7 times at this point, I have somehow never been inside the Paris Opera, or also known as the Palais Garnier. I don’t even know how that came about but I finally made my way there this time around and man! I have been missing out! The grandiose and details of every single corner and hall of this magnificent structure is absolutely stunning; and I am delighted to say that it has officially moved up to my favorite indoor place in the City of Light.
The Palais Garnier, Paris, France
The Grand Staircase of Palais Garnier, Paris
Because I went during the first week of France implementing its policy of must having the vaccine or a negative antigen test to enter any public spaces, I was afraid that they may not let me in, even though I had my Hong Kong vaccination papers with me. I’m glad I was wrong! It was a rather seamless process and I was even lucky enough to get a $2 euro discount because I attempted to buy my ticket through the vending machine and didn’t have the appropriate change required. One of the staff members was nice enough to just let me in without the additional $2 euros…
The initial entrance to the Palais Ganier was subtle, in the sense that I was greeted by a rather modest statue of (cupid?) and intricately carved marble columns. But a few steps later, the grand staircase greeted me with its majestic elegance and soon after, the paintings on the ceilings shined through. With Rachmaninoff playing in the background, I felt like I was transported back to a time.
The entrance into Palais Garnier, Paris before being greeted with the majestic grand staircase
After gazing in awe and finally making my way upstairs to the second floor, I walked through towards the Grand Foyer. My goodness! This place is exactly like a combination of the Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Absolutely stunning as the long hall was plated with gold and long mirrors with a straight row of beautiful chandeliers complimented by paintings along the ceiling. And to my surprise, I was correct! The painter who completed the ceiling paintings under Chief Architect Charles Ganier, is a gentleman named Paul Baudry. Baudry studied extensively in Italy and held an apprenticeship in Rome, in which part of his work consisted of renovating the Sistine Chapel. Hence, my comment about the Foyer being a combination of Sistine Chapel and Versailles Hall of Mirrors was in fact quite accurate, especially for a non art history major!
Grand Foyer of Palais Garnier, Paris, France
Grandiose chandelier and ceiling paints by Paul Baudry at Palais Garnier, Paris
The Grand Foyer of Palais Garnier, a mix of Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles
The Palais Ganier also houses a slightly less grandiose and subtle hall that had large paintings of ballerinas and dancers along its walls. I wonder if some of them were commissioned to Degas as many of them reminded me of his ever-so-famous ballerina themed pieces. This hall was not as well maintained as the Grand Foyer as some of the burgundy wallpaper was peeling off at various corners. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful space. Along this hall led into another circular room, in which many marble busts of past singers, dancers, and performers of the Opera were commemorated. Many of whom were women, and I love that! A bonus of this lowkey hallway is that its windows provide unobstructed views of the Sacre Coeur on the hills of Montmartre - my favorite outdoor space of Paris!
The more subtly beautiful ballroom and hall at the Palais Garnier, Paris
I ended my tour of the beautiful Opera of the actual theater itself. The red velvet seats with gold plated columns and the fabulously vibrant ceiling painted by Marc Chagall! If only I was in the theater to catch an actual show! This will be on my bucket list for the next time I am in Paris.
The theater of Palais Garnier, Paris
Gorgeous ceiling by Marc Chagall inside the theater of Palais Garnier
Velvet red seats of Palais Garnier, Paris
In conclusion, I cannot believe it took me this long to step inside this architecture stunner! But better late than never as the saying goes I suppose. If you are visiting Paris, even if it’s for the first time, I highly highly recommend it as one of the must-sees! I definitely regret not having gone earlier. And you can bet on it that I will be visiting it again next time I’m in town!
Palais Garnier, Opera Garnier, Paris Opera among its many names - a magical place!
Couldn’t resist a mirror selfie at this over the top Grand Foyer!
For a more personal detailed account of my Palais Garnier adventures and how it took me awhile to even find where to buy a ticket - watch & subscribe to my youtube channel! <3
