A First Timer's Guide to Palais Garnier | Opera Garnier Tours & Tickets (2023)

FAQs

How long should I spend at Palais Garnier? ›

Allow yourself about two hours give or take to fully enjoy visiting the Palais Garnier.

Tickets to the public areas of the Palais Garnier include access to any temporary exhibitions and cost €14 for adults or €10 for visitors aged between 12 and 25. Children under the age of 12, disabled visitors and the unemployed can enter free of charge. The multimedia tour costs an additional €5.

The guided tour takes about 90 minutes and gives you access to all parts of Opera Garnier - the auditorium, gilded balconies, even up close the stage ( the self audio guided tour lacks access to the auditorium ).

There's really no wrong way to dress for the opera (excluding meat dresses and swim trunks). It's all about what the opera-goer feels comfortable wearing when it's all boiled down. A great tip for opera newbies would be to dress up the first time to attend a performance.

Opera dress code

It was (and often still is) a way to see a free fashion show. But times have changed, and today there are no dress codes at the opera. You will see people wearing a huge variety of different fashion. You will never be turned away from the opera for what you are wearing.

There is no formal dress code. We want everyone to feel comfortable and able to engage with what is happening on stage, and so we encourage audiences and visitors to wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing. We only ask that you are fully clothed and that your feet are covered.

There is no particular dress code, but proper attire is required. For gala evenings, it is suggested that gentlemen wear a dark suit and ladies a dress.

For women, a dress, blouse/skirt, or blouse/nice pants is fine. For men, a dress shirt, nice pants, and nice shoes are fine. Many people were in business casual style clothing during all three of my visits. The two French men sitting in front of me during my last visit were both just wearing sweaters and khaki pants.

Opera has a reputation of being really, really expensive. And you can easily drop over $300 (or more) on the best seat at a big opera house. But the majority of opera is much, much more affordable, and opera companies continue to offer discounted tickets in a variety of ways.

It's free to visit the Opera House

The Opera House is a building that you can visit at any time. Simply walk along the water from Circular Quay. The sights don't stop at the front!

Is the Opéra Garnier worth it? ›

The Opéra Garnier is an important monument of French and Parisian culture. You will be amazed by its decoration worthy of a king's castle. No matter if you love History, art or even literature, you will be delighted by this visit.

Visiting in the morning is the best time to see the Palais Garnier. There are fewer crowds and a beautiful morning light pours in through the massive windows. The best way to see the Opera House is to join a guided tour. We opted for a private two-hour tour to really get to know the ins and outs of the building.

So what is the best way to see the whole of the Palais Garnier? Even if you aren't committing to a show here—which we highly recommend—the public tours are an unmissable experience and worth every penny. If you prefer to move at your own pace, there's also a good self-guided audio tour.

The self-guided visit or the guided tour? If you have any interest in the Palais Garnier building, especially as the setting of The Phantom of the Opera, you should really consider the guided tour. It's literally only a few euros more than the self-guided visit, so you really can't go wrong.

Though there aren't any strict dress codes, it's best to wear something on the formal side. Things to definitely keep out of the opera house? Sweatpants, casual sneakers, or distressed jeans. Keep on reading for our favorite opera looks…

The opera is an occasion to dress up, so avoid anything that appears so casual that you might wear running around on the weekend. This means no denim or denim jackets, no jeans, and no sneakers.

Both formal and informal clothing is accepted. From casual t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops to a cocktail dress or tuxedo, the spectrum of audience style is so broad that there is no specific dress code.

The bottom line is this: the best thing to wear to the opera is whatever makes you the most comfortable. We'll be thrilled to see you in a gown, jeans, shorts, or even in a little bit of costuming. Come as you are!

Italians dress to the nines when they go to see an opera performance. Men traditionally wear a tuxedo, while women wear ball gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pants suits. It's not all black tie - there are plenty of options.

Most operas have at least one intermission—use that time to grab a glass of champagne or a quick bite (view food and drink options) and explore the opera house.

What do you wear to see the Nutcracker? ›

A pretty standard outfit for the ballet includes a dress or skirt! Now's the time to dress up in your fancy fare. I've paired black dresses with cropped sweaters (left) and tucked sweaters into skirts (right) for a similar look.

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

Yes, you can wear jeans to a nice restaurant, especially when paired with a nice top. What you will pair with the jeans will make a big impact on the whole outfit. Wearing jeans is more likely acceptable to laid-back establishments than a fine dining restaurant.

Are Leggings Okay to Wear in Paris? Some travelers love wearing leggings for comfort, but they're often too casual looking as pants for Paris. If you're a big fan of leggings, consider pairing a black pair with long tunics during the spring, or wearing them under Paris style dresses and skirts in fall and winter.

You can wear jeans, if they are discreet, dark and well cut, but not in the evening, and not with a tee shirt and sneakers – you would look too casual. If you're planning to enjoy a night out on the town, this is a good rule to remember. Most nightclubs won't allow you in if you're wearing sneakers and jeans.

Think sneakers, but in classic white, not in wildly clashing neon. Denim, as long as it is worn almost as if it has been tailored. Also a trench coat, a shirtdress, a white shirt, a black blazer. And think the single strategically chosen accessory: a scarf, a wide belt, some big earrings, though worn one at a time.

For most restaurants and bars, the dress code is dressed-up casual. So, if you do decide to go with a cocktail dress, the norm is for it to be accompanied by tights and a sweater/light jacket. This isn't because Parisians are against showing skin; it's just not typical for this type of setting.

Best Seats in the Theatre: Opt for the middle seats in rows D to H of the stalls section if you're looking for a great view of the stage. The middle seats of the first two rows of the circle section are also considered premium since they are not obstructed and offer a clean view of the stage.

There's no compulsory dress code. Wear what you'll feel comfortable in. It can get cold in the theatre, so consider an extra layer. And if you're seeing a show on an outdoor stage, bring warm and weather-proof clothing!

Opera is a dramatic story told through song. It is considered by many to be the most complete art form, combining all of the elements of art, words, music, drama and dance.

Do you have to wear a mask at the Opera House? ›

Bring and wear a mask.

Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance.

Early morning and late evenings are good if you are seeking a relatively crowd-free environment. The Tour timings to the Sydney Opera House starts from 9 am to 5 pm.

No, you don't get to actually get up onto the sails. If you want to do that, you'll either have to become a protester and risk substantial gaol time or become the NSW Arts Minister (pictured on the sails, above).

Larger items – including handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks, umbrellas, suitcases and prams – are not permitted inside the venues and must be cloaked. Cloaking is at the discretion of Opera House venue security staff and all items will be visually inspected.

Is the Palais Garnier open to the public? Yes, it is. You can tour it for a fee or stop into the lobby where you would buy tickets, just to take a peek inside.

Is Palais Garnier free? If you want to walk inside Palais Garnier, you will have to pay for it. To visit the Paris Opera House, the price is 14 €. The visit is free for children under 12.

Visitors can either visit the Opera with a tour guide or by themselves. The guided tours last 90 minutes, so you might prefer to visit the building by yourself if you don't have much time to spare.

It's best practice to plan on arriving 30-45 minutes before the start of the performance. You never know how traffic or weather may affect your travel, and patrons who arrive after the start of the performance won't be seated until the first appropriate break - often intermission.

Select seats in the middle of the stalls for the best view and sound. Operas typically use the entirety of the stage. For the best view of the stage, select seats that are as close to the center of the theater in the stalls, which are the seats at floor level in the theater.

According to HuffPost, while the Eiffel Tower is stunning during just about every part of the day, the absolute best time to visit is at 1 a.m. Most people know that as soon as the sun sets, the Eiffel Tower is lit up with golden lights that make the landmark look like it's glowing.

How much does it cost to get into Opéra Garnier? ›

The Palais Garnier is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but may close earlier on days of matinee performances. Unguided admission costs 14 euros (around $14) for adults and 10 euros (about $10) for students and those younger than 25.

- €35 for a ticket to an opera.

Palais Garnier Visitor Tips

You can take a Palais Garnier Tour for free on the 1st Sunday of each month. Note, this also happens to be the most crowded day of the month! English tours are on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

We like it for:

Its architecture and its massive glass-dome. Its temporary and unique exhibitions. Its various events throughout the year and a termporary[1] ice rink during the Christmas period.

Is the Palais Garnier open to the public? Yes, it is. You can tour it for a fee or stop into the lobby where you would buy tickets, just to take a peek inside. The opera house is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is no particular dress code, but proper attire is required. For gala evenings, it is suggested that gentlemen wear a dark suit and ladies a dress.

Box #5 is left open to honor the Phantom of the Opera. The Palais Garnier inspired the famous play based on true events. The chandelier actually did fall and almost kill a patron, and the Palais Garnier is built over a lake and has a cistern underneath which was the inspiration for the other world in the play.

With the Paris Pass you can get a free tour of the Palais Garnier, saving you €14.00. Plus, you can also get free entry into the top museums in Paris, art galleries and attractions with the complete package – not to mention a travelcard.

What to Wear. There is no dress code at the Met, but a night at the opera can be a great excuse to get dressed up. If you need inspiration, check out some of our favorite looks from Last Night at the Met, our curated fashion Instagram account.

Can you wear white to the opera? ›

Women should wear a dress or skirt with a blouse. White is the best color to wear. Evening gowns are not usually worn at Opening Nights, though they may be for special occasions. For opera, you must wear comfortable shoes.

The Opéra Garnier is an important monument of French and Parisian culture. You will be amazed by its decoration worthy of a king's castle. No matter if you love History, art or even literature, you will be delighted by this visit.

The best seats at The Royal Opera House are located in rows A-E and F-J. These seats have a fantastic view of the stage and offer great sound quality. You can also see some of the best views of Covent Garden from these seats, which is an added bonus.

The best way to get the Paris Museum Pass is as part of the Paris Pass package. Not only do you get the museum pass, but you get other perks, like a Seine River Cruise and rides on the open-top buses. Here are a few of the museums and monuments that the Paris Museum Pass covers.

The Paris Museum Pass is only for museums and monuments, the Paris Pass adds a travel card and entry to other popular attractions.

6-day pass

Does The Paris Pass include Paris Metro tickets? The Paris Pass® does not include Paris Metro tickets, these will need to be purchased separately. However, it does include a 1 Day Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour which you can enjoy at your leisure and takes you straight to the city's top attractions.