The Opéra Garnier is one of the most famous Napoleon III style buildings in the world: together with the Opéra Bastille it is part of the Opéra National de Paris, founded in 1669 by King Louis XIV. It was built between 1861 and 1875 by Charles Garnier, who gave it its name. The exterior of the Opéra Garnier is decorated with elaborate marble friezes, columns and many statues, one of the most famous of which is the sculptural group Apollo, Poetry and Music, by Millet Aimè.
The interior consists of a maze of corridors, staircases, landings and niches designed to ensure that spectators can socialize during the intervals of the shows. The ceiling of the main hall has been adorned since 1964 with a painting by Marc Chagall showing works by 14 composers including Mozart, Wagner, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Verdi and Beethoven.
Currently the Opéra Garnier also houses the Opéra National de Paris museum, which contains paintings, sets and costumes from the opening of the theatre to the present day.
