L’O PERA G ARNIER Meghan Waltman

C HARLES G ARNIER There was a competition to design the Opera House, Charles Garnier won. He was a 35 year old unknown architect. Said to be the most important symbol of the 19 th century Second Empire Baroque style. Construction began in 1862 and completed in 1875

U SES When it first opened, it was used for operas. Since the construction of the Opera Nationale de Paris Bastille, most performances are ballets.

L OCATION The Opera Garnier is located on La Rive Droit, Place de L’Opera, Opera Quarter, Arrondissiment 9. To get there you take metro line 3, 7, 8, to Opera Station.

W HY IT WAS BUILT Designed to show the extravagant Second Empire Baroque style that Parisians were so proud of at the time. During building the Theatre de L’Academie Royale de Musique burned down in The Opera Garnier is said to be it’s successor. It was designed for Emperor Napoleon III.

S IGNIGICANCE It is a very important monument, showing the lavish decoration that France is known for. The architecture on the interior of the building is said to be in some ways even more extravagant than Versailles. It was also the setting for “Phantom of the Opera”, giving it even more history and significance.

I NTERESTING F ACTS A mysterious underground lake was found while it was being built. It is still there under the buildings floor. It was the setting for Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera” In 1896 one of the counter weights holding up the six ton chandelier fell, killing a person.

N AMES Though it was originally named L’Opera Garnier it was officially renamed Palais Opera in Another name it goes by is Opera National de Paris

B IBLIOGRAPHY "Popular Travel Destinations in paris." Mojo Travel. (2011): 1. Print.. "Opera Garnier." Go There Guide. (2011): 1. Web. 10 May , and Alfred Ziethen. L'opera Garnier Photograph. n.p. andreas, praefcke. "Theatre de L'Opera." Paris. (2010): n. page. Print..