The Opéra Garnier, built 1861-1875 to designs by Charles Garnier on commission from Napoleon III, is one of the most magnificent theatre buildings in the world and a masterpiece of Second Empire style. The house with around 1,970 seats is famous for its opulent architecture: the grand staircase, the dome decorated with Marc Chagall ceiling paintings, and the famous underground lake that inspired Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera. Today the house primarily presents ballet — the Ballet de l'Opéra national de Paris, one of the oldest and most renowned ballet ensembles in the world, has its home here. Garnier has been a Monument historique since 1923.
The Opéra Garnier houses an underground lake that inspired Gaston Leroux to write his novel The Phantom of the Opera. The lake still serves as a water reservoir for the Paris fire brigade today.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- Paris, France
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