Even though there are two opera houses now in Paris, the Opera Garnier is usually the one referred to as "the" Opera.

Home to the infamous Phantom of the Opera, the Opera Garnier was built in the neo-classical style and is an eclectic mix of Classical, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. Those passing by the structure, which is made of stone, stucco and timber and covers three acres, can enjoy the beauty of the building from any angle as there is much to be appreciated.

Starting from the roof, one will notice three cupolas jutting towards the sky and decorative side sculptures looking out over the city. A series of paired columns, whose designs are copied from the Louvre building, line the middle of the structure, and a group of statues called La Danse (by French sculptor Carpeaux) greet the gaze as one enters the opera house.

Though the outside of the building is huge, it encompasses 118,404 square feet, the Opera's inside auditorium seats only 2,200 patrons in five tiers. The inside is not to be underestimated though as in the foyer and main hall you will come in contact with such findings as a 6-ton chandelier, a marble circular grand staircase, numerous intricate gilded decorations, and a painted ceiling created by Marc Chagall in 1964.

The Opera house, which is located on Place de l'Opéra, in the 9^th district of Paris, also hosts a museum that includes temporary exhibitions as well as paintings depicting the history of ballet and opera.

Besides its architectural highlights, Opera Garnier has some interesting history to note as well. The site was laid out in 1858 but it would be a few more years before a set design for the structure would be agreed upon. At the result of a design competition, the task fell to the experienced hands of 35 year old architect Jean-Louis Charles Garnier — one of among 171 contestants listed in the competition and the buildings eventual namesake.

Garnier would spend the next 14 years working on the project.

As with most complex undertakings, a series of obstacles faced the opera house from the get-go. To begin with, site excavations revealed a tributary of the Seine River ran beneath the ground of the building so structural work had to be done to alleviate the problem. Toss in a few more roadblocks such as standard bureaucratic processes, a fire, and constant pressure to contain costs, and it quickly became clear construction was going to be a slow arduous process.

Nine years into the affair the project hit another stalling point when the Prussians attacked Paris. An uprising in response to the city's new government pitched the opera house in the midst of the action as revolutionaries overtook the unfinished building, using it for barracks until the end of the revolt. After this, Garnier had to hurdle another political wall and persuade the new government to give him the green light to continue on with the construction. He succeeded and the project was brought back to life after an almost two year hiatus. It was completed in time to bring in the year 1875.

Today, the Opera Garnier is still considered one of the great opera houses of the world and if you find yourself wandering the streets of Paris, a stop by is well worth the effort.

Click here to read Zoie's main feature on the Opera Garnier.

---
Zoie Clift is a talented contributor to Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com. Should you like her to write professionally for you, please contact her at .