Private Opera Garnier Theater 2-Hour Tour in Paris

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Paris, France

2 hours (approx.)
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Rayana_H ·

Dec 2025

This experience was definitely a must-do if you’re staying in Paris. Our tour guide Maurizio was an exceptional storyteller with plenty of information about the rich history of the Opera Garnier. His anecdotes brought a lively feel to the tour! Would definitely recommend this tour with Maurizio to anyone considering visiting l’Opera Garnier!!!

· Kevin_R ·

Jan 2026

Our tour was amazing and the gentleman who showed us through the opera house was super knowledgeable, energetic, and a lot of fun to be around. He told us stories and pointed out things we would’ve never seen or understood without him with us and I would recommend that anyone who reads this sign up for this tour.

Explore our promoted experiences

Paris, France

4.1

(10)

Côté Seine Tour / duration 1h30 - from 1 to 6 passengers

from $266

Private 12-hour round transfer to Belgium (Bruges) from Paris

from $1,231

Paris Flea Market Private Tour Saint Ouen Antiques with Pickup

from $145

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Marvel over Baron Haussmann’s Paris and visit two of the city’s most magnificent buildings on this private 2-hour walking tour. First explore inside the opulent Palais Garnier, a vision of dazzling marble and crystal chandeliers, with its Grand Staircase.

Marvel at the magnificent Opera Garnier, one of the world’s most renowned opera houses
Learn about Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris in the 19th century
Choice of several departures throughout the day
This private tour can be customized to your interests and ensures you’ll receive personalized attention from your guide

What's Included

Private guide
Entry Tickets (no skip-the-line)

Food and drinks
Transportation to/from attractions

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Café de la Paix
5 Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, France

End point

21 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Tour ends on the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette

Start time
.9:45 am

Itinerary

Palais Garnier

1 hour 40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
May be operated by a multilingual guide
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Wheelchair mostly accessible, please advise when booking
Opéra Garnier does not allow skip-the-line. In days with high affluence, you can expect some waiting.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 53 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

An excellent tour of the Opera Garnier

JM_M, Jun 2026

This tour was excellent - both informative and entertaining and I would highly recommend it. Mauritizio obviously loves his work and his enthusiasm is infective.

Mauritzio is a wonderful guide!

JEAN_W, Apr 2026

We were so lucky to have Mauritzio as our tour guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and presents art and architectural history in a fast-paced and humorous manner. Two hours flew by. I’m so glad we had him to guide us so we could more fully experience this incredible landmark!

A Magical Immersive Experience

Kat_C, Feb 2026

This was the highlight of our annual Paris trip. Maurizio transformed our visit to Palais Garnier into something truly magical, guiding us as if we were attending a performance as a Duke and Duchess in the 1870s. He brought the drama, intrigue, and rich history of the opera house vividly to life - from its original concept and construction challenges to the fascinating legends and opening-night excitement. He revealed the “why” behind every intricate detail - the architectural flourishes, hidden symbols, and design choices I would have completely overlooked without his extraordinary insight and storytelling. His depth of knowledge, passion, and ability to transport us through time made the experience unforgettable.

Unbelievable Opera House Tour

Kevin_R, Jan 2026

Excellent Tour!!!

Rayana_H, Dec 2025

Paris opera house

Constance_L, Oct 2025

Very interesting - guide was exceptional- professional- very knowledgeable- very kind and very fun !!

We had an excellent...

Michael_M, Sep 2025

We had an excellent private guide Mauricio - very knowledgeable and friendly - would recommend him to others

Excellent Private Tour of Opera Garnier

Jonathan_F, Jun 2025

Our guide Maurizio provided a wonderful 2 hour private tour of the Paris Opera House. His tour was very informative and was delivered with great enthusiasm and energy. He shared lots of behind-the-scenes facts and stories. He was very accommodating of our interests and our needs.

Wonderful

Charlotte_M, Jan 2025

This was an absolutely amazing day! We were greeted by our guide, who was so friendly and personable. He really made it what it was. The tour of the opera was stunning, as well as seeing it from the roof of the nearby building. But our guide really made it all come to life. He was knowledgeable while being funny, so there was not a dull moment! Thank you so much for making it such a special experience for my aunty and me!

One of the best tours

Rene_C, Nov 2024

This was one of the best if not the best tour guides, I have ever had. He was very knowledgeable and very funny in his presentation. Je made the information believable and personal. Great job.

Great tour - be prepared for crowds.

Ann_C, Oct 2024

Mauricio was an excellent guide to this amazing place. He was easy to find. He knows every little detail and shares all of the intrigue and social movements that impacted the creation of the theatre. The theatre itself is very crowded and the guide cannot guarantee viewing of the actual auditorium, but as long as you are OK with this, the tour is definitely worth it, if only to hear about the wild characters that brought the building to life!

Opera house tour

Lilia_G, Apr 2024

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the architecture and history to life. Highly recommend our guide Mauricio. Excellent

The absolute best

gmguardino, Oct 2023

For those that want to really experience the all of a beautiful historical site Maurizio went way over the top.! He not only describes in detail what you are observing and appreciating, but also delivers the history and secrets that most of us would never know. He must eat drink and sleep his subject. His presentation is very personal.

Superb, engaging, entertaining and knowledgeable

PedroA, Jul 2023

We took other guided tours in Paris and this was, by far, the best. Maurizio, our tour guide, was amazing. My wife and I took the tour with my two kids, 10 and 13 year old. Maurizio was very knowledgeable and engaging with my kids. We learned so much about the opera and had a great time. There was some acting to reinforce some of the information which made the tour very fun. I typically do not write reviews, but went out of my way to write this one because of the superb tour.

A Great Guide Makes for a Great Tour

James_C, Oct 2021

Mauricio was both knowledgeable and passionate about the Palace Garnier. He weaves the history of the Palace with the time in which it was built, pointing out things we would have missed without him. I would highly recommend this tour.

Awesome Opera Garnier & Galeries Lafayette

Roy_B, Sep 2021

We really enjoyed our tour with Maurizio. What an interesting and fascinating guide. He made these magnificent buildings come to life! A beautiful addition to our Parisian experience.

I could not find my guide even...

Mary Lou M, Jun 2017

I could not find my guide even though I was there early and walked around and around for almost in hour looking for her. I called twice and got an answerering machine. I went on in and bought a ticket to take my own tour. As I waited, she called and said Where are you? She came on in and was going to take me on the tour. Then there was trouble with the tickets. The Opera gave her the wrong tickets and we had to go back and straighten all of that out. Finally we got in and bottom line is that the 2 hour tour of the Opera and Galeries Lafayette turned into an hour for both of them. We rushed through the Opera and then she walked me over and into the Galeries Lafayette, took me to the perfume counter that I asked for, and left me there as her time was up. The guide was, however, very knowledgeable and fun to be with once we got together. I think the problem was that she might have been there in the crowd, but as I looked and looked, I did not see anyone who appeared to be a guide and apparently she did not see me walking aorund and around looking at everyone. The badge, as it turned out, was hanging around her neck, but not very obvious. I paid for 2 tickets, but it turned out to be just me. If there had been more people with questions, It would not have worked. I suggest. More obvious badge.

Response from Host, Dec 2019

Hello, our guides are always at the designated spot in time and when they do not see the customers, they call to see if they are lost or late. Since you arrived one hour before the tour, of course you could not have seen the guide, because it was too early :) All our guides wear a badge.

This tour was magnificent; a...

Caroline_S, Aug 2016

This tour was magnificent; a highlight of the trip. Our guide, Claudia was amazing, a trained architect, local historian and showed, told and informed us very well. Great personal tour!