The Opéra Garnier, or the Paris Opéra to most, is one of the French capital’s legendary landmarks. Designed by Charles Garnier, the 2,200-seat theater was home to the Paris Opéra from 1875 to 1989.
Even those who haven’t visited the neo-Baroque building have heard of its famous ghost. Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera, which was later spun into Broadway’s longest-running musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, was based partially on true accounts.
While operas are now performed at the Opéra Bastille, the Paris Opera’s ballet company still performs at the Garnier.
Part of keeping the building in shape for future audiences is ensuring that its elevator systems are up to date. The Opera’s original elevator was made of wood and adorned with luxurious fabrics. In 2009, modernisation work began to make the elevator more accessible for disabled guests. Today, the car has automatic doors and can accommodate 19 persons.