Opéra royal de Versailles
Versailles, France
Open to visitors
The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.
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Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and completed in 1770, the Royal Opera of Versailles is the principal theatre and opera house within the Palace of Versailles, located at the northern extremity of the north wing. Its interior decoration by Augustin Pajou is constructed almost entirely of wood, painted to resemble marble using faux marble technique—a choice that contributes to the building's renowned acoustics. Some spaces, including the king's Loge and Boudoir, represent early expressions of Louis XVI style. The theatre inaugurated on 16 May 1770 with a performance of Jean-Baptiste Lully's *Persée*, celebrating the marriage of the Dauphin (future Louis XVI) to Marie Antoinette. The flexible venue accommodates 712 for theatrical and orchestral performances, and can be converted into a ballroom seating 1,200 by raising the orchestra floor to stage level.
Architect
- Built
- Type
- opera house, palace theatre
- Place
- Versailles, France
This building on
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Location