It’s no secret that Palais Garnier is full of beautiful artistry, but did you know about the legends and the mystery?
Gaston Leroux, the author of the famous novel “The Phantom of the Opera” published in 1909, started out as journalist by profession. This story, beloved by millions was not even one of his best works on France, but definitely a classic in the English speaking world.
Did you know there is actually a lake beneath the Opera house in Paris, just like in the story?
Charles Garnier had problems while digging the foundation of the Opera house. He ended up running into an arm of the Seine River hidden underground. They tried everything to pump out the water, but it kept refilling. Rather than move locations, Garnier had to adjust the blueprints. They built cisterns to manage the flow of water, creating an artificial lake underneath the building.
Did you know that in 1896, the chandelier fell and actually killed a woman?
It was a little bit of an exaggeration, because the whole chandelier didn’t come down, it was only a counterweight. It fell into the audience and a lady did die from it though.
The story is full of people who really exist and events that actually happened. It’s really quite fascinating to study.
Be sure to check out the library in the Opera house if you visit. There’s also a museum full of artwork and costumes and original scores performed there. Any music or theater lover could spend hours happily exploring the treasures of Palais Garnier!
