Palais Garnier (Opera House)

When you first walk in to the Opera House you are immediately overwhelmed by the beauty of this historic building. There are detailed murals on the ceilings, chandeliers in every room, and beautiful line work on the pillars. It is the culmination of the style of Napoleon III, with Baroque and Renaissance elements. One of the features that stood out to me was the grand marble staircase that you see when you first walk in. Garnier's use of space makes it so that the staircase is the focal point where people can ascend into the upper levels and be seen by others. The space in this building also serves its purpose very well. The levels and corridors and wide and spacious in order to fit the high number of the people that it was meant to. Looking at the color and rhythm of the building, everything just screams extravagance. There are gold features everywhere and incredible detail in the sculptures and design.  

The Opera house is historically important because of many reasons. It is a beautiful architectural achievement that included innovative and complex strategies. It represents a center of art and society where people can go to marvel at beauty. One of the things that was really interesting to me to learn was that it was place where middle class people could go and feel that they were a part of a higher class. The performances of opera and ballet housed within this building are magnificent. It is also an enduring symbol of Paris and serves as an influence and inspiration for other buildings around the world. 

The Opera house is a cultural symbol for Paris. It attracts people from all around the world to come and admire its beauty and structure. It enhances the already rich culture and history of France by being an important monument to their lifestyle and a representation of the architectural achievements of France. The Opera House still serves as a place of art and beauty. People can come to watch opera or ballet and experience the elegance that this building has. They can admire the marble staircase, ooh and ahh over the extensive murals on the ceiling, and feel as though they have been brought back in time a little bit. The Opera is a testament to the sophistication and elegance of this beautiful city. 

Further research came from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier