TheOpéra national de Paris is one of the capital's most important cultural institutions. Lovers of show business and music, as well as lovers of history and heritage, are all familiar with these halls, which give pride of place to opera and ballet. However, behind the red curtain and gilding, theOpéra Garnier andOpéra Bastille no longer shine with the same lustre...
On October 24, 2024, the Cour des Comptes published a report analyzing the management and accounts of the Opéra National de Paris. The public body's conclusions are unequivocal: both opera houses are deteriorating rapidly, and are in need of major renovation work.
In its report, the Cour des Comptes (French Audit Office) explains that the maintenance work carried out to date is not sufficient to keep the buildings in good condition: the excessive use of these sites and the numerous activities are wearing out the equipment and buildings too quickly. The financial authority states that at " Bastille, after 32 years of activity without any major operations, renovation ('grand carénage') has now acquired a real sense ofurgency. " The same is true of the Palais Garnier, where " deterioration is visible in the public spaces, which have not undergone any major renovation for several decades. What' s more, several studies and diagnoses have also highlighted the profound need to modernize the Palais Garnier and its stage areas."
According to the Cour des Comptes, the Opéra Garnier and the Opéra Bastille need to carry out major renovation work on their stage machinery and public areas, waterproof their roofs and modernize their stage equipment... The Cour des Comptes estimates the cost of all these urgent works at 196 million euros, an expense that would be spread between 2024 and 2030, according to the scenario drawn up by the institution.
According to the report, both opera houses will be forced to close their doors in the near future, in order to complete the renovations. The Opéra National de Paris is currently studying a specific scenario to enable the work to be carried out, while ensuring uninterrupted public access: that of an " alternating closure, in order to keep one of the two sites permanently open: 24 months for Garnier, starting in July 2027, and 24 months for Bastille, starting in July 2030."
For the moment, the cultural institution has not announced any possible closure of its theaters.
Location
Opéra de Paris - Palais Garnier
8 Rue Scribe
75009 Paris 9
Access
Metro: Opéra station (lines 3, 7 or 8) Auber (RER A)
