Is touring the Opéra Garnier worth it?

One of the crown jewels of Parisian architecture, the Palais Garnier, its golden foyers with glimmering chandeliers, and painted frescoes on the ceiling, should definitely not be missed. The Palace's Opéra Garnier – an auditorium cloaked in red velvet – is especially unmissable, and only accessible through a guided tour.

How long does an Opéra Garnier tour take?

In addition to an entry ticket, you can opt in for a self-guided tour, or a guided tour with an expert. A self-guided tour takes about 1 hour. You'll be equipped with an audio guide that will lead you throughout the palace, except the auditorium. Be sure to bring cash to get an audio guide at the entrance. A 90-minute guided tour gets you access to everything, including the auditorium, the balconies, and as close to the stage as possible. Book a tour early in the day to avoid opera rehearsal conflicts.

How do I get to Opéra Garnier?

Take advantage of Paris' extensive metro system and get out at Opera from lines 3, 7, or 8. If going by RER, you can take line A and get off at Auber. Or, take any one of these bus routes to the Opera Garnier: 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81 and 95.

Highlights: Opéra Garnier tickets

Witness the Rotonde des Abbonées , a circular vestibule dripping in gold, featuring depictions of Greek mythological figures Palais Garnier was named a "Monument Historique" in 1923 and is protected by the French government A tragic accident at the venue served as the inspiration for Gaston Leroux's best-known work, Phantom of the Opera Set your eyes on the sparkling chandeliers adorning the all-marble Grand Escalier Gaze up at the elaborately painted ceilings, one of which was completed by contemporary artist Marc Chagall

No need to have tickets for a performance to enter the luxurious confines of the Opéra Garnier – visitors can access one of Paris' top attractions any time with an entry ticket. Add a self-guided or small-group tour to enrich your experience. With 480,000 visitors per year, you'll want to book in advance to secure your spot. Your entry ticket allows access to the beautifully decorated interior of Palais Garnier – the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera – as well as a rotating menu of temporary exhibitions hosted at the venue.

Access to the venue may be impacted by performances and rehearsals – check the current schedule before you book! Most places inside Opéra Garnier are wheelchair accessible (except for some temporary exhibition spaces) Cloakroom is not available to visitors Luggage and large bags, pushchairs, kick scooters, and skateboards are not allowed Located inside, CoCo Restaurant is open daily with an à la carte menu at lunchtime (12:00 - 15:00), dinner (19:00 - 23:00), and brunch on the weekend