Opera Garnier & Covered Passages Private Tour

Immerse yourself in the luxuriant world of 19th-century Parisian high society. Your private tour of the city’s historic charms begins in central Paris, where you’ll meet your guide and travel to the Opera Garnier by either metro or minivan (depending on transport option selected at booking). Also known as Palais Garnier, the opera house is among the most famous in the world and is currently home to the Paris Opera Ballet. It was built in 1875 and immortalized as the setting for Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera.

Admire the monumental Second-Empire Beaux-Arts exterior, and step inside to marvel at the opulence of chandelier-lined hallways and painted ceilings, including a modern mural by Marc Chagall. Imagine a well-heeled 19th-century crowd sweeping down the grand staircase and filling the 1,979-seat auditorium as your guide shares the fascinating history of this architectural masterpiece. Your tour continues on a short walk toward the Louvre to the passages couverts tucked behind some of the city’s grand boulevards. These elaborately covered shopping arcades were once an important part of Parisian commerce. Many have been restored to their former splendor and still house charming boutiques, galleries, and cafés where you can browse for unique gifts or stop for a delectable bite to eat (own expense).

Your 5.5-hour tour includes in the afternoon near the Grands Boulevards metro stop, where your guide can point you in the direction back to your hotel or provide tips to continue sightseeing on your own.