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