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Amidst the countless anecdotes and legends surrounding its construction and first years, here are 15 facts about Palais Garnier – 15 fascinating things to know about the Garnier Opera House, Paris. 1. The Construction of the Opera Garnier was Inspired by a Tragic Event.
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.
- The opera house was commissioned by Napoleon III but he never attended any concert. The construction of the Opera Garnier was inspired by a tragic event.
- The chandelier in the Opera Garnier was designed by Garnier. The famous chandelier which hangs from the ceiling of the Opera Garnier weighs 7 tonnes of pure bronze and crystal.
- The marble used in Opera Garnier are from different countries. Garnier hated iron and did not envision the staircase in the opera housing built of iron.
- Opera Garnier served as a military camp. The construction of the Opera house was halted after Napoleon III was ousted and sent into exile. The Prussian war broke out and the unfinished building was converted into camp where they stored food and straws.
- 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.
- There have been a total of 13 Opera Houses in Paris. One thing you’ll see as we go through these facts is that Palais Garnier has reason to be wary of the number 13.
- Palais Garnier was commissioned after an assassination attempt. Following an assassination attempt on Napoleon III in 1858, the need for a new, more secure theatre for the Opera became a public interest.
- The architect for Palais Garnier was chosen through a competition. In December 1860, a competition was launched to find the architect for the project.
- Napoleon III commissioned the Opera House but never saw it. Although Emperor Napoleon III commissioned Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra Garnier, in 1860, he never actually stepped foot inside.
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.
Mar 17, 2021 · By: Kevin Fisher. Published: March 17, 2021. Very few buildings in the world convey such a sense of awe as this magnificent attraction in Paris. Let’s take a closer look at some interesting facts about the Palais Garnier, a building described as “probably the most famous opera house in the world!”.
