| The Paris Opera House is thought to be one of | | | | and excerpts of Les Hugentos with Gaicomo |
| the greatest pieces of architecture of its period. | | | | Meyrebeer. |
| Located on the northern part of Avenue De | | | | The editor John Norwich of Great Architecture of |
| LOpera in the 9e arrondisement , it was founded | | | | the World reports that a contemporary critic |
| in 1669 by King Louis XIV. | | | | thought the Opera House looked like an |
| The idea of the Opera house was first proposed | | | | overloaded sideboard The place is ornate and |
| in the 1858 during the Second Empire by Baron | | | | decorated with marble friezes of various colors. |
| Haussmann who was granted authorization for | | | | The interior is filled with gold leaf and velvet. |
| the project by Napoleon III. About 12000 square | | | | There are cherubs and nymphs everywhere. The |
| meters of land was cleared and a thirty five year | | | | chandelier is over six tons in weight. The ceiling |
| old architect by the name of Charles Garnier was | | | | itself was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964. The |
| chosen to design the Opera House. | | | | Opera House is 11000 square meters (11844 |
| In 1861, construction began and 14 years later the | | | | square feet) with a platform that can fit more |
| building was complete. There were a number of | | | | than 400 artists and there are over 2000 seats |
| significant delays however, first there were issues | | | | for the audience. |
| such as the Paris Commune, and the Franco | | | | The Opera House is now thought to be a |
| Prussian War and then, there was a problem with | | | | masterpiece because Garnier had made wonderful |
| the location. The ground was marshy and full of | | | | use of the difficult and cramp site. The carriage |
| underground water. | | | | ramps, the steps, the foyers and staircases were |
| For eight months, the site had to undergo | | | | both planned and sectioned with skill and |
| constant pumping before the base could be put | | | | confidence. |
| down and it was said to have formed an | | | | Garnier was accused of being overly ornate, just |
| underground reservoir. This reservoir became the | | | | like Napoleon and Haussman were criticized of |
| idea behind the setting of The Phantom of the | | | | having old and imperialist ideas but the critics |
| Opera | | | | forget to keep in mind that cities need their grand |
| On January 15, 1875 marked the opening of the | | | | monuments and without Napoleon, Garnier, and |
| Palais Granier (Paris Opera House). There was a | | | | Haussman, Paris could not have been thought of |
| performance of La Juive with Fromental Halevy | | | | as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. |