The Opéra Bastille is a modern opera house in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, France. Inaugurated in 1989 as part of President François Mitterrand's Grands Travaux, it became the main facility of the Paris National Opera, France's principal opera company, alongside the older Palais Garnier; most opera performances are shown at the Bastille along with some ballet performances and symphony concerts, while Palais Garnier presents a mix of opera and ballet performances.
Designed by Uruguayan-Canadian architect Carlos Ott, it is situated facing Place de la Bastille. It can seat 2,723 people in total, with a main theatre, concert hall and studio theatre, making it the largest opera house in Europe.
On your route
Driving through France or Belgium? Vaut le Détour places this stop on your itinerary with your real arrival time, a lunch spot open at that hour, and fuel or charging.
École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, 2.7 km away
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see near Opéra Bastille?
Nearby: château de Versailles (19.0 km), Bastille (0.1 km), Centre national d'art et de culture Georges-Pompidou (1.6 km), palais des Tuileries (3.0 km). Each one can become a detour on your route.
How do I buy tickets for Opéra Bastille?
Tickets for Opéra Bastille are sold online (Tiqets ticketing, instant confirmation, tickets on your phone). The booking link is on this page.
When was Opéra Bastille created?
Wikidata gives 1990 as its date of creation or foundation.
Facts and key figures: the Wikipedia article “Opéra Bastille” (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0), retrieved on 2026-08-05. Opening hours and prices are deliberately left out: they change too fast to be reliable anywhere but the official website.