L’OPERA GARNIER
Meghan Waltman
CHARLES GARNIER
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There was a competition to design the Opera House, Charles Garnier
won.
He was a 35 year old unknown architect.
Said to be the most important symbol of the 19th century Second Empire
Baroque style.
Construction began in 1862 and completed in 1875
USES
When it first opened, it was used for operas.
 Since the construction of the Opera Nationale de
Paris Bastille, most performances are ballets.
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LOCATION
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The Opera Garnier is located on La Rive Droit, Place de L’Opera,
Opera Quarter, Arrondissiment 9.
To get there you take metro line 3, 7, 8, to Opera Station.
WHY IT WAS BUILT
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Designed to show the extravagant Second Empire Baroque style
that Parisians were so proud of at the time.
During building the Theatre de L’Academie Royale de Musique
burned down in 1873. The Opera Garnier is said to be it’s
successor.
It was designed for Emperor Napoleon III.
SIGNIGICANCE
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It is a very important monument, showing the lavish
decoration that France is known for.
The architecture on the interior of the building is said to be
in some ways even more extravagant than Versailles.
It was also the setting for “Phantom of the Opera”, giving it
even more history and significance.
INTERESTING FACTS
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A mysterious underground lake was found while it was
being built. It is still there under the buildings floor.
It was the setting for Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the
Opera”
In 1896 one of the counter weights holding up the six ton
chandelier fell, killing a person.
NAMES
Though it was originally named L’Opera Garnier
it was officially renamed Palais Opera in 1989.
 Another name it goes by is Opera National de
Paris
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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"Popular Travel Destinations in paris." Mojo Travel. (2011): 1. Print.
<http://mojotravel.wordpress.com/tag/opera-garnier/>.
"Opera Garnier." Go There Guide. (2011): 1. Web. 10 May. 2012.
<http://www.gothereguide.com/opera garnier paris-place/>.
, and Alfred Ziethen. L'opera Garnier. 2010. Photograph. n.p.
andreas, praefcke. "Theatre de L'Opera." Paris. (2010): n. page. Print.
<http://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/france/f_paris_opera.htm>.