During his recent trip to France, Dinh Hoang Duc (a student studying in Germany) was deeply impressed by French architecture, especially the Opéra Garnier. "Although I spent a lot of time researching and looking at pictures of the theater, in reality, the Opéra Garnier is much more luxurious and splendid than I imagined," he shared with Travellive.
Let's admire the magnificent architecture of this space through the lens of Hoang Duc.
Architect Charles Garnier created the architectural masterpiece Opéra Garnier.
The Opéra Garnier was inaugurated in 1875, with an eclectic style that borrowed from many historical elements. The Opéra Garnier harmoniously and skillfully combined elements from Baroque, Palladio's classicism, and Renaissance architecture. At a total cost of 33 million francs, it was the most expensive building constructed during the Second Empire.
The theater ceilings are stunning works of art.
The magnificent main hall is 18 meters high, 154 meters long, and 13 meters wide, with a ceiling painted by Paul-Jacques-Aimé Baudry. It opens onto an outer loggia and is flanked by two octagonal salons. The ceiling of the east salon was painted by Jules-Élie Delaunay and that of the west salon by Félix-Joseph Barrias. The octagonal salons open north into the Salon de la Luna at the west end and the Salon de la Sun at the east end.
The Great Hall looks east.
The ceiling of the octagonal salon at the east end with an oval painting in the center by Jules-Élie Delaunay.
Part of the ceiling of the Great Hall with works by Paul Baudry: the central rectangular panel is called Music, and the oval panel at the west end is called Comedy.
The diversity and artistic quintessence of the Opera Garnier is not only shown on the stage, but also in the beautiful interior architecture. The space is decorated with paintings, sculptures, colorful ceilings, and magnificent chandeliers, creating a luxurious space.
The grand staircase of the theatre is also a typical highlight of the architectural work. Marble is used to make the staircase, in which the steps are made of white marble, the railing uses red and green marble. The structure of the different paths leading to the Grand Hall is inspired by the design of the grand staircase by Victor Louis at the Theatre de Bordeaux.
The classic grand bridge of the Garnier Opera.
The exterior is currently under renovation until the end of 2024, so visitors can only visit the inside of the Theater.
You should buy tickets online to avoid waiting in line.
