A view with attitude

If you climb to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette, you are rewarded with one of the most underrated views in Paris. Forget the Eiffel Tower for a moment. Turn around and you will see the back of the Opéra Garnier in all its theatrical glory.

The two buildings are practically neighbours. You could throw a croissant from one to the other. Not that we recommend it. The opera sits just across the Boulevard Haussmann, looking like it is judging your shopping choices.

The opera that outshines most operas

The Opéra Garnier was built between 1861 and 1875. Yes, it took 14 years. Apparently, drama takes time. It was commissioned by Napoleon III as part of his grand plan to make Paris look more imperial and less medieval.

The architect, Charles Garnier, was only 35 when he got the job. He was relatively unknown, which makes his achievement even more impressive. He created a building so lavish that it has been called a temple of music and excess.

A façade that screams “look at me”

The front of the Opéra Garnier is all columns, statues and gold. It is like a royal wedding cake made of stone. Garnier wanted it to be festive and sacred at the same time. So he added allegorical sculptures representing music, drama and dance. Subtlety was clearly not on the menu.

Inside, the Grand Staircase is the real showstopper. It is 30 metres high and designed to make you feel like royalty, even if you are just there to see a ballet. The ceiling features Apollo and Orpheus, because why not throw in some Greek mythology while you are at it.

The back side, less flashy but still fabulous

From Galeries Lafayette, you see the rear of the opera house. It is less ornate than the front, but still impressive. The fly tower rises above the roofline, hinting at the technical wizardry inside.

This view gives you a sense of the building’s scale. It is not just a pretty façade. It is a massive, complex structure designed to host grand productions and even grander egos.

Shopping with a side of culture

The proximity of Galeries Lafayette and the Opéra Garnier is no accident. When the department store was expanded in the early 1900s, its founders knew that being near the opera would attract a stylish crowd.

The staircase inside Galeries Lafayette was even inspired by the opera’s own. Clearly, someone wanted shoppers to feel dramatic while choosing a handbag.