Royal Opera

The tiers of boxes curve around the auditorium beneath a painted ceiling. Ange-Jacques Gabriel, Louis XV’s architect, designed the Royal Opera, which opened in 1770 for the wedding celebrations of the future Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Much of the interior is wood, including decoration painted to resemble more costly materials. The theatre could accommodate elaborate court spectacles, and its machinery allowed changes of setting. Restoration returned it to use as a performance venue. Opera, concerts and other productions now bring audiences back into the royal theatre. It is a separate visit from the State Apartment circuit, reached through the access provided for a booked performance or guided visit.