Discover Opéra’s 25 best spots for your trip in Paris

Opened in 1875 to mark the inauguration of the Opéra Garnier, this Grands Boulevards brasserie retains its period charm. Open daily from 7am to 1am, it serves traditional French cuisine including pâté-croûte, steak au poivre and seafood platters.

A sunny terrace and private salons make it suited to family lunches, post-theatre dinners or private events.

Palais Garnier opened in 1875 as the primary home of the Paris Opera, designed by architect Charles Garnier in an opulent Beaux-Arts style. The building features a grand marble staircase, gilded interiors, and a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall above the auditorium.

Visitors can tour the building during the day or attend ballet and opera performances.

Printemps has anchored Boulevard Haussmann since 1865, its flagship store crowned by an ornate stained-glass cupola dating to 1923. Beyond the extensive fashion floors, the rooftop terrace offers one of the best free panoramic views in central Paris, making it a worthwhile stop even for non-shoppers.

Opened in 1862 alongside the Grand Hôtel, Café de la Paix is a Parisian institution on Place de l'Opéra, known for its classified Napoleon III interior blended with contemporary touches. The restaurant serves French classics such as foie gras, tartare, sole and onion gratin, plus oysters and shellfish from its Écailler counter.

The terrace and café are open all day into the evening for coffee, light lunches or homemade pastries.

Perched on top of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann building, this rooftop spot serves coffee and light drinks with sweeping views over the Paris skyline, including the Opéra Garnier and, on clear days, the Eiffel Tower. It's a popular stop for shoppers looking for a scenic break, though space can be limited during peak hours.

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is one of the largest department stores in Paris, spanning multiple buildings and offering fashion, beauty, and homeware brands across several floors. Its centerpiece is a stained-glass cupola dating to the early 20th century, visible from a central viewing platform.

The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over the city.

This Starbucks location sits on Boulevard des Capucines close to the Palais Garnier, offering the chain's usual menu of espresso drinks, frappuccinos, teas, and pastries. Seating is available for those wanting a break while sightseeing nearby.

Like other Starbucks branches, it offers free Wi-Fi and to-go options.

Run by the family-owned Fragonard perfumery founded in 1926, this museum near the Opéra Garnier offers free entry to explore how perfume is made and its history from antiquity onward. Displays include an extensive collection of antique bottles, kohl pots, pomanders, and travel perfume sets.

Visitors can also book a workshop to create their own eau de cologne, and a boutique sells Fragonard's fragrances and gift sets.

Harry's New York Bar has been serving Rue Daunou since 1911 and is widely credited as the birthplace of cocktails like the Bloody Mary and the Sidecar. Its clubby, wood-paneled interior and long list of regulars over the decades — from Hemingway to Coco Chanel — give it a genuine sense of history rarely found in a Paris bar.

This Avenue de l'Opéra boutique offers pâtisseries from the acclaimed Pierre Hermé range, known for inventive macaron flavors, chocolates and seasonal creations like fruit-and-cream nomade cakes. Customers can compose their own macaron box from an assortment of signature and limited-edition flavors.

Products are available for in-store pickup or home delivery, in a refined, dessert-focused setting.

This outpost of Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie sells the maison's pastries, viennoiseries, chocolates and épicerie items within the Galeries. Expect signature creations such as flans, cinnamon rolls, tarts and chocolate-filled 'Terriers', alongside seasonal and made-to-order pieces.

Click & collect and courier delivery options are also available for orders placed in advance.

Paradox Museum Paris, near the Grands Boulevards, fills its rooms with hands-on exhibits designed to challenge how visitors perceive reality, blending science demonstrations with playful, photo-friendly installations. Reviewers describe it as a solid activity for both kids and adults looking for something interactive and a bit different from a traditional museum.

Located within the Galeries Lafayette Gourmet food hall, this counter showcases pastries and desserts by chef Philippe Conticini. It's a spot for a quick coffee break or a sweet treat while browsing the surrounding gourmet food and drink selections.

The setting is bustling, part of a larger department store food emporium rather than a standalone café.

Located near Opéra, this café and pastry shop is part of chef Cédric Grolet's collection of Paris addresses, which also includes a chocolaterie. It serves as a spot for coffee, breakfast and pastries, drawing visitors for a quick stop rather than a sit-down meal.

Expect a compact space geared toward takeaway treats and light refreshments.

Tootbus operates open-top buses along a route covering the city's major sights, with tickets valid for repeated use over a set period and an option to combine the bus pass with a Seine river cruise. Reviewers particularly value the flexibility of the multi-use ticket for exploring at their own pace.

The Palais Garnier hosts the Opéra national de Paris's opera, ballet and concert performances, alongside exhibitions and guided tours of its lavish interiors. Built as part of the Opéra national de Paris's network of venues, it marks 150 years of history in 2025.

Visitors can attend performances, public rehearsals, or explore the building independently or with a group tour.

La Petite Bleue is a breakfast and brunch café near the Opera, serving dishes like savory eggs and pancakes in a cozy, stylish setting. It's a favorite among locals and visitors, with a menu praised for fresh, well-balanced flavors and attentive service.

Reservations aren't accepted, so expect a wait, especially on weekends.

Opened in 1875 alongside the Opéra Garnier, this Grands Boulevards brasserie has kept its period charm while serving traditional French cuisine daily from 7am to 1am. The menu features classic brasserie dishes such as pâté-croûte, filet au poivre and seafood platters, with seafood also available for takeaway.

A sunny terrace and private salons make it suited to family lunches, post-theatre dinners or private events.

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann hosts a runway show beneath its Belle Époque glass cupola, a striking, unexpected way to experience the flagship store beyond its usual shopping floors. It's held on a fixed weekly schedule and draws both fashion-curious visitors and shoppers looking for a free bit of spectacle.

Kintaro is a Japanese restaurant with a contemporary setting and an open kitchen. The menu covers a range of hot dishes, including ramen and yakiniku, with vegetarian options available.

Service is quick, though the dining room's atmosphere and table arrangement have drawn mixed impressions from diners despite generally strong reviews.

Climbing District Saint-Lazare offers indoor climbing walls in a convenient, central location near Saint-Lazare, drawing both regular climbers and curious first-timers who stumbled onto it. Reviewers highlight approachable staff who make the sport accessible to newcomers.

Sequoia Rooftop Bar sits on Boulevard des Capucines in the 2nd arrondissement, open nightly from 5:00 PM to midnight. The bar menu features drinks and food, with a minimum spend of 50€ per person.

Bookings are available online, and the venue can be reached by phone or email for enquiries.

This library-museum forms part of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, focusing on the history of opera and the performing arts. Visitors can view collections related to the Opéra alongside exhibitions and cultural programming offered across BnF sites.

It combines archival research resources with museum displays in a quiet, scholarly setting.

Eat and Break is a relaxed, no-fuss eatery popular for quick, satisfying meals while exploring Paris. Reviewers highlight the flavorful burgers as a highlight, with several calling it among their best meals in the city.

Expect a casual atmosphere and, at busy times, a line forming outside.

The Chapelle Expiatoire was commissioned in the early 19th century to honor Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, marking the former cemetery where their remains were initially interred after the Revolution before being moved to the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Tucked behind gates near Saint-Lazare, it remains one of the city's lesser-known historic sites, appreciated by visitors precisely because it stays off the main tourist circuit.