The Palais Garnier on Paris's Place de l'Opéra (map) was designed in Neo-baroque style by Charles Garnier and opened in 1875 as the Académie Nationale de Musique.

Although the Opéra National de Paris now uses the modern Opéra Bastille as its principal performance venue, the Palais Garnier is still what most of us think about when someone says "Paris Opéra," and it is still sometimes used for performances of that art form.

The magnificent building is still used for glittering evening performances, which you can attend. It's also open by admission fee for wandering and also for guided tours most days. Here are details.

Palais Garnier
Opéra National de Paris
Place de l'Opéra (rue Scribe & rue Auber) (map)
75009 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 71 25 24 23

Métro: Opéra, lines 3, 7, 8
RER: line A, station Auber
Bus: lines 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, 95