Completed in 1875 by architect Charles Garnier, Opéra Garnier remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the Paris reshaped by Baron Haussmann under the Second Empire. This itinerary starts at its facade and continues on foot to several other landmarks of that same Haussmannian Paris, Place Vendôme, the Grands Boulevards and the arcades of the Palais-Royal, for a walk of about two hours.
The Grand Foyer, the starting point
Designed by Charles Garnier as a genuine reception hall rather than a simple passageway, the Grand Foyer draws on the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, with its mirrors, gilding and painted ceiling. It links the Grand Staircase to the various levels of the auditorium and gives a first sense of the building's ambition.
The chandelier and the Chagall ceiling
Hanging at the center of the auditorium, the massive chandelier sits beneath a ceiling painted in 1964 by Marc Chagall, layered over the original 19th-century ceiling rather than replacing it. Its bright colors, drawn from famous operas and ballets, are a deliberate contrast to the classical style of the rest of the hall.
The facade of the Opéra
Columns, statues and busts of composers come together in the eclectic style favored by Charles Garnier, completed after more than a decade of construction. Walk around it before heading west toward Place Vendôme.
Place Vendôme
About a ten-minute walk away via Rue de la Paix, this octagonal 17th-century square is lined with regular arcades and centered on a column topped with a statue of Napoleon. It is now home to the Ritz hotel and several of the world's most famous jewelry houses, making it one of the most elegant squares in Paris.
The Grands Boulevards
Heading back northeast, the Grands Boulevards laid out in the 19th century are home to several of the capital's historic department stores, some of whose domes and rooftop terraces are open to the public. It is also one of the liveliest thoroughfares in Paris, lined with theaters, cinemas and Haussmannian facades.
The arcades of the Palais-Royal, the finishing point
The walk ends beneath the covered stone galleries of the Palais-Royal, which frame a formal garden far quieter than the busy avenues crossed so far. Old shops and benches in the shade of the arcades offer a welcome pause after the walk.
Tips
Start in front of Opéra Garnier (Opéra metro station, lines 3, 7 and 8), beginning with the interior visit if you have booked a ticket, or with a walk around the facade if not. Head to Place Vendôme via Rue de la Paix, then back up toward the Grands Boulevards around Boulevard des Capucines and Boulevard des Italiens, before heading south down Avenue de l'Opéra to the Palais-Royal, near the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre metro station (lines 1, 7 and 14). Allow about two and a half kilometers and one and a half to two hours of walking, not counting a visit inside the Opéra. If you plan to visit the inside of Opéra Garnier, book your ticket in advance to avoid the line, and check opening hours before you go, since some dates are reserved for performances. Place Vendôme and the Palais-Royal arcades stay freely accessible at any time, which makes it easy to fit this walk in even late in the day.
