★★★★★ 5.0
Discover
Opéra Bastille
That curved glass wall you're staring at beat out designs from 1,699 OTHER architects when Carlos Ott won this massive competition in 1983! You're standing where steam trains used to chug into Paris-Bastille station until they tore it down to build this glass giant. When it opened on July 13th, 1989, it was EXACTLY 200 years after the French Revolution started right here in this square... and here's the coolest part - inside there are NO royal boxes or fancy seats! Every single one of the 2,745 seats is identical, because this opera house was built for EVERYONE, not just kings and queens. Look for those five secret mobile stages that can pop up anywhere inside like giant mechanical surprises!
Did You Know?
- The Opéra Bastille was inaugurated on July 13, 1989, to mark the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, deliberately opening just one day before Bastille Day (July 14), the French national holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille fortress—a symbol of freedom and revolution. This timing connects the modern opera house to the historical spirit of rebellion and renewal that defines the Place de la Bastille, where the fortress once stood.
- Designed by architect Carlos Ott, Opéra Bastille is a marvel of modern technology, featuring 2,700 seats with homogeneous acoustics, advanced stage machinery, and integrated workshops for sets, costumes, and accessories. Its sleek, contemporary design was intended to make opera accessible to a broader, more diverse audience, breaking from the traditional opulence of older venues like the Palais Garnier.
- Unlike many grand opera houses, Opéra Bastille was built with urban integration in mind: the metro exit leads directly into the opera’s hall, and the building includes public shopping areas, making it a welcoming, everyday space for Parisians and visitors alike. This reflects its mission to be a 'modern and popular' cultural hub, inviting everyone—including families and children—to experience the magic of opera in the heart of a historically charged neighborhood.