People seeking things to do in London would be well-advised to pay a visit to the spectacular Palais Garnier, where the Paris Opera is held.

Visitors to the opulent venue will be blown away by its great staircase, foyer and auditorium, which they can visit unaccompanied every day between 10am and 5pm.

Alternatively, they could opt for a guided tour with expert guides and will also no doubt enjoy a visit to the museum.

The Paris Opera boasts a lengthy and fascinating history, with the Palais Garnier being the thirteenth theatre to house the Paris Opera since it was originally founded by Louis XIV in 1669.

Napoleon III ordered it to be built as part of a larger scale Paris project, and Opera House was put out to competition and was won by an unknown 35-year-old architect called Charles Garnier. 

The building work stretched out over 15 years as it was interrupted by numerous incidents including the 1870 war and the falls of the Empire and the Commune.

Discover more for less with a Paris sightseeing pass.

Posted by Georgina Black