Plan Your Visit to Opera Garnier
Everything you need before you go — opening hours, how to get there, what to wear and bring, accessibility, on-site facilities, and nearby restaurants and hotels.
Adult entry ~€14. EU residents under 26 enter free. Children under 12 free.
Self-guided visit takes 1–1.5 hours. Guided tours run 1.5–2 hours.
Métro Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8) is directly adjacent. RER A Auber also serves the building.
Open daily 10:00–16:30 (17:00 in summer). Closed during rehearsals and performances.
Essential Planning Guides
Essential preparation guides for first-time visitors to Palais Garnier.
Opening Hours of Opera Garnier
Opera Garnier is open daily for daytime visits from 10am to 5pm, with reduced hours on performance days and occasional full closures throughout the year.
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Best Time to Visit Opera Garnier
A month-by-month breakdown of crowd levels, weather, ticket prices, and performance schedules to help you choose the ideal time for your visit.
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How Long to Spend at Opera Garnier
How much time to set aside for a self-guided visit, a guided tour, or an evening performance, with tips for managing your time inside the building.
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What to Wear to Opera Garnier
Covers dress code expectations for Opera Garnier, from smart casual for daytime visits to formal attire required for evening performances.
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What to Bring to Opera Garnier
Know the bag size rules, prohibited items, camera policies, and handy extras like binoculars before arriving at Opéra Garnier.
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Photography Rules at Opera Garnier
Personal photography is welcome in most public areas of Opera Garnier, but flash, tripods, and cameras are banned in the auditorium and during performances.
Read guide →Getting There
How to reach Opera Garnier from central Paris, CDG, and Orly airports.
How to Get to Opera Garnier
How to reach Opera Garnier by Metro, RER, bus, or on foot from central Paris landmarks like the Louvre and Palais Royal.
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Nearest Metro to Opera Garnier
Opéra station (lines 3, 7, and 8) sits directly beside the building, with RER A at Auber as a fast alternative.
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Getting to Opera Garnier from CDG Airport
Compare RER B, taxi, and private transfer options for reaching Opéra Garnier from Charles de Gaulle Airport, with journey times and costs for each route.
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Getting to Opera Garnier from Orly Airport
How to get from Orly Airport to Opera Garnier via Orlyval and RER, taxi, or private transfer, with cost and time estimates.
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Parking Near Opera Garnier
Driving is not recommended in central Paris, but this guide covers the nearest car parks, their rates, and walking distances to the building.
Read guide →Before You Go
What to know when you arrive — facilities, accessibility, dining, and more.
On-Site Facilities at Opera Garnier
A guide to the gift shop, cloakroom, cafe, toilets, and audio guide desk inside the building, with practical details for each.
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Accessibility at Opera Garnier
Covers wheelchair access, lift locations, adapted routes, hearing loop availability, and how to pre-arrange assistance for your visit.
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Opera Garnier with Kids
Discover whether Palais Garnier suits young visitors, which grand highlights captivate children most, reduced ticket prices for kids, and essential tips for a stress-free family visit.
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Restaurants Near Opera Garnier
Handpicked restaurants within walking distance of Opéra Garnier, spanning casual bistros to upscale dining, with options across budgets to suit every pre- or post-performance meal.
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Hotels Near Opera Garnier
Discover the top hotels within walking distance of Opéra Garnier, covering budget-friendly to luxury five-star options in Paris's 9th arrondissement.
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Is Opera Garnier Worth Visiting?
An honest assessment of whether Opera Garnier is worth visiting for the architecture alone, how it compares to a performance evening, and who will get the most from it.
Read guide →Practical Information
Quick-read guidance for scheduling, pacing, and general comfort during your visit.
Getting There & Entry
The Palais Garnier sits at Place de l’Opéra, easily reached by metro or on foot from central Paris.
- Take Métro Line 3, 7, or 8 to Opéra station — exit directly at the building’s main façade
- Bus lines 20, 21, 27, 29, 42, 66, 68, 81, and 95 all stop at Place de l’Opéra
- No dedicated car park on-site; nearest paid parking is Parking Madeleine, a 5-minute walk
- Security screening is mandatory at entry — remove belts and electronics before queuing
- The main visitor entrance for self-guided tours is on the Rue Scribe side, not the main staircase
Opening Hours & Best Times to Visit
Visit hours vary depending on whether a performance or rehearsal is scheduled that day.
- Self-guided visit hours are typically 10:00–16:30; doors close to visitors on performance days by 13:00
- Check the official schedule before you go — performance days significantly shorten touring windows
- Weekday mornings (Tuesday–Thursday before noon) are the quietest periods for touring
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing; the Grand Foyer and auditorium require unhurried time
- The building is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and certain major French public holidays
Tickets & Booking
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season.
- Self-guided visit tickets cost around €14 for adults; discounts apply for under-25s and EU residents under 26
- Audio guides in multiple languages are available at the ticket desk for an additional €5
- Combination tickets covering both the Palais Garnier visit and a Louvre entry are available seasonally
- For opera or ballet performances, tickets release months in advance — book as early as possible via the official site
- On-site ticket windows often have queues of 30–45 minutes in summer; online purchase skips the line
What to Wear & Practical Etiquette
The Palais Garnier has dress expectations for performances and practical considerations for daytime visits.
- Smart casual is acceptable for daytime visits; formal attire is expected for evening performances
- Wear comfortable shoes — the marble floors and grand staircases involve significant walking
- Photography is permitted in most public areas but prohibited inside the auditorium during performances
- Large bags and luggage are not allowed inside; bag-check options are limited, so travel light
- The building is partially accessible for visitors with reduced mobility; contact the venue ahead of time to arrange assistance
Things to Know Before You Visit
Key reminders for a smooth visit.
Continue Exploring
Discover more about Palais Garnier.
Tickets & Tours
Compare entry tickets, guided tours, audio guides, and combo tickets with other Paris attractions.
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What to See
The Grand Staircase, Chagall ceiling, underground lake, and every highlight inside Palais Garnier.
Explore highlights →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about plan your visit.