The Opera Garnier was built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera. It was originally called "Salle des Capucines" because of its location on the Boulevard des Capucines in the 9th district of Paris. It was soon known as "Palais Garnier" in memory of his architect Charles Garnier. The palace was the residence of the Paris Opera until 1989, when the Bastille Opera House was built. The Paris Opera Palais Garnier is now mainly used for ballet.
The Palais Garnier is "probably the most famous opera in the world, a symbol of Paris, as Notre Dame, the Louvre, or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart" (Hanser). It was made famous in the novel The phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux in 1911, then the musical in 1986.
We suggest you a Opera Garnier tour with a guide.
