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The Palais Garnier (French: [palɛ ɡaʁnje] ⓘ, Garnier Palace), also known as Opéra Garnier (French: [ɔpeʁa ɡaʁnje] ⓘ, Garnier Opera), is a historic 1,979-seat opera house at the Place de l'Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III.
- The Construction of the Opera Garnier was Inspired by a Tragic Event. The Opera Garnier history starts with a tragic event. In 1858, Emperor Napoleon III and his wife went to the Opera House that was at Rue Le Peletier.
- A Special Request for the Avenue de l’Opéra. Haussmann’s renovation of Paris was a vast public works program commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III to bring air and light to the center of Paris.
- The Palais Garnier Was a Costly Affair. Though conceived as an opera house, Charles Garnier’s design has all the elements of a princely palace, hence the name ‘Palais Garnier.’
- The Opera Garnier Served as a Military Camp. This is one of the lesser-known Opera Garnier facts. The Palais Garnier’s foundation stone was laid in 1862, but the work lasted more than 10 years because of budget restrictions, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Paris Commune.
Palais Garnier became the official name when the Opéra Bastille was built in 1989 to replace the older opera house, although the Palais Garnier still remains and continues to house performances, and many Parisians still refer to the building as the Paris Opera.
- Palais Garnier had a different name initially. The list of Palais Garnier Opera house facts starts with its name! The original name of this iconic Parisian building was Le Nouvel Opéra de Paris (the new Opera House) since its predecessor, Opera le Pelletier (Old opera house), was no longer usable after it was gutted in a fire.
- It was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III post an assassination attempt. Emperor Napoléon III, Napoléon Bonaparte’s nephew had many adversaries and foes and one of them proved almost fatal when he made an assassination attempt on the emperor and his wife near the Salle Le Peletier opera house on 14 January 1858.
- It was Built With a Special private entrance for the emperor. The new Opera House in Paris was built paying heed to the safety of the imperial couple.
- It is One of The largest opera houses in Europe. One of the facts about Paris opera you might not be aware of is that Palais Garnier is honored as one of the largest opera houses in Europe.
The story of Palais Garnier began in the 19th century, during the reign of Napoleon III. In the midst of a vibrant cultural renaissance in France, the need for a grand opera house became apparent. The old opera house, the Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique, had become inadequate for the growing demand for opera and ballet.
Jan 29, 2023 · The Opera Garnier, also known as the Palais Garnier, first sprang from the brain of Napoleon III. It wasn’t a calculated choice. While attending the Opera of Rue Le Peletier, Napoleon barely escaped a bomb in an assassination attempt. Right then and there, Napoleon resolved to build a new opera house that he could safely attend.
Created by the architect Charles Garnier in 1875, the Palais Garnier houses a prestigious auditorium and public areas (grand foyer, rotonde des abonnés, salons), a museum-library, as well as several rehearsal studios and workshops.
