Opera (Paris, France)

Guides: Destinations > Cities > Paris > Opera and Madeleine > Opera
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Once the largest theatre in the world the Paris opera is a baroque example of neo-classicism. Built by Charles Garnier between 1862 and 1875 it is now almost exclusively devoted to ballet. A large and lavishly fitted building it has a total area of 11,000 square metres of which the auditorium itself comprises roughly half of the total space. It has an ornamented facade with the richness continuing inside with velvet, gold leaf, nymphs and cherubs with the auditorium's central chandelier weighs over six tons.