Palais Garnier in Paris

Also referred to as the Paris Opera as well as the Salle des Capucines, the Palais Garnier is a beautiful opera house that can seat 1,979 people at one go. Famed to be one of the most popular opera houses of the world, the Palais Garnier is a popular tourist attraction even for those who do not like operatic music. The entire structure is decorated richly with beautiful statues by master sculptors. The statues include those of Beethoven, Mozart, Auber, Spontini and of several scenarios including dances, poetry in motion and other similar things. There is a huge grand staircase inside the Palais Garnier, which is a major tourist attraction, along with Grand Foyer that is home to a gilded dome and frescoes of angels singing and dancing. The ceiling was painted by Paul Jacques Aimé Baudry, and is considered to be the artist’s masterpiece.

The main auditorium is shaped like a horseshoe, with all the seats facing the stage so that everybody is able to get a good view of the artists on the stage. The stage, in fact, is the largest of similar stages in all of Europe and can actually accommodate nearly 450 artists on it at the same time. Visiting the Palais Garnier is an experience in itself, and is a must for music lovers from all over the world, if not for a show then at least for a look at where some of the greatest musicians of the world have played.