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The purpose of these regulations is to provide information about the conditions of access to and circulation in the areas of Paris Opera open to the public. They are designed to ensure the quality of the visitor experience and preserve the premises in compliance with health and safety requirements.

These regulations do not affect Paris Opera’s general terms of sale and use.

Persons who fail to abide by these regulations may be prohibited from entering or asked to leave the premises without warning or refund. Where appropriate, Paris Opera may take legal action entailing a ban on attending future events.

These regulations apply to the presence and circulation of the public in all areas of Paris Opera premises open to the public.

Public access to private areas is prohibited except in occasional circumstances where Paris Opera grants an exemption. These regulations will also apply in such cases.

These regulations apply in their entirety to the Paris Opera public, namely:

• persons with or without an entry ticket,
• persons or groups authorised to use certain premises for meetings, receptions or other events.

If the alert level under the Vigipirate national security alert system is raised, Paris Opera may be required to step up controls, including bag searches, and restrict or prohibit access to certain areas.

In the event of an epidemic or health alert of any kind, Paris Opera will apply the measures decided or recommended by the public authorities. Paris Opera may at any time decide to modify or prohibit access to its areas.

For the safety of all, the public must comply with the instructions of front of house staff or security officers responsible for ensuring that these regulations are applied.

Any person on Paris Opera premises, whether a member of Opera staff or the public, must be treated respectfully and appropriately.

The public are expected to behave properly. In particular, the following are prohibited on Paris Opera premises:

• proffering insults or threats or behaving rudely towards any person on Paris Opera premises, any member of Opera staff or any member of the staff of Opera service providers;

• behaving indecently, aggressively or violently towards any person on Paris Opera premises, any member of Opera staff or any member of the staff of Opera service providers

• deliberately destroying or damaging any movable or immovable property of Paris Opera;

• consuming food or drink in the auditoria;

• using a mobile phone immoderately and indiscriminately during a performance;

• dropping paper or rubbish or sticking chewing gum;

• smoking or vaping in areas open to the public, pursuant to the provisions of Article L3511-7 of the French Public Health Code;

• staying without permission in a Paris Opera building outside public opening times;

• climbing over barriers or systems for containing the public;

• standing or congregating for activities unrelated to those proposed by Paris Opera;

• disrupting circulation of the public or Opera staff or blocking passages and emergency exits;

• lying on benches or on the floor, sitting on steps, ledges or banisters or crossing guardrails;

• running, sliding, jostling or climbing;

• leaving minors unattended;

• leaving personal items unattended, even for a short time;

• using a ticket for a performance to tour public areas of the theatres;

• using public areas for photo shoots;

• using public areas and toilets as a cloakroom;

• wearing clothing that conceals the face, pursuant to the provisions of French Act 2010-1192 of 11 October 2010;

• being under the influence of alcohol or narcotics;

• reselling tickets, subject to the penalties provided in the Criminal Code (Act of 27 June 1919);

• engaging in any commercial activity, advertising, propaganda or solicitation;

• taking collections or raising petitions;

• operating a fire alarm or handling emergency equipment (fire extinguisher, wall hydrant, etc.) without due cause;

• using electric sockets.

Public areas of Paris Opera are accessed via the official entrances indicated on the exterior signage. Paris Opera may modify access points freely and at any time for safety reasons or operating requirements.

Opening times for buildings are given in the brochure and on the website. They may be amended at any time by a decision of Paris Opera.

Access is subject to on-site control and an inspection of personal effects, in particular by means of security gates or metal detectors. Access may be refused if a prohibited item is found. Such items include those which, by their nature or purpose, present a risk to the safety of persons, goods, works, fixtures and fittings or buildings.

In particular, the following may not be brought into the premises:

• luggage and travel bags;

• personal transportation devices, motorised or not (except for persons with reduced mobility);

• glass bottles;

• plastic bottles holding more than 50 cl;

• anti-theft devices (U-locks, chains, etc.);

• all classes of weapons and ammunition, pocket knives, any blunt object or object that could be used as a weapon, tools such as cutters, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers or secateurs;

• incapacitant or teargas sprays, inflammable or volatile substances, etc.;

• animals except for guide dogs or service dogs in training or accompanying persons bearing proof of their status;

• excessive amounts of food or drink.

E-bike batteries, because of their composition, must be left in the fireproof cabinets provided for the purpose. Any incident arising from failure to comply with this rule incurs the battery owner’s liability. Paris Opera may not be held liable for any damage to or theft of such items.

Audience members are bound by the rules set forth in Title I of these regulations.

The times of events are given in the programme for the season and on the Paris Opera website and printed on the tickets or passes giving access to them. For security reasons, screening is carried out before the entrance to each theatre. Audience members are advised to arrive 45 minutes before the start of the performance, which always begins at precisely the time stated on the ticket. Entry to the auditorium is no longer guaranteed after that time.

Paris Opera may not be held liable for traffic conditions or any particular circumstances such as works, demonstrations, strikes, etc. that could cause delays. Audience members should also leave enough time to reach their seat once they have passed the doors of the theatre.

Entry into the auditorium is possible only on presentation of a valid ticket for the performance as checked at the access control point. Each ticket gives entitlement to one seat only. Audience members should retain their ticket, which front of house staff may ask them to produce at any time.

Audience members must stow any food and drink in a closed bag before entering the auditorium.

Out of respect for the artists and the public, the following are prohibited during the performance:

• making noise, talking, humming, etc.;
• kicking the back of the seat in front;
• using a mobile phone, which must be switched off or in aeroplane or silent mode;
• eating or drinking in the auditorium.

The auditorium doors are closed as soon as the performance starts. Out of respect for the public and the artists, latecomers will be seated only at the next suitable break, if any. No exchange or refund will be offered. For safety reasons, the theatre’s main doors are closed 15 minutes after the start of the performance. No exchange or refund will be offered in the event of late arrival.

Unauthorised entry into the auditorium is a breach of house rules and may entail expulsion from the Opera.

It is forbidden to change places in the auditorium, and thereby occupy the seats of other possible audience members, without the permission of front of house staff, subject to exclusion from the auditorium.

Standing or sitting on the steps is prohibited.

Audience members should stay in their seat until the performance has completely finished and the auditorium lights have gone up.

Only Paris Opera staff are authorised to remain in the corridors, move around the auditorium or enter or leave it during performances.

Front of house staff are stationed at each level during the performance and in the lobby.

Paris Opera reserves the right to move an audience member or remove them from the auditorium if they disturb the artists or other audience members.

It is not permitted to place items such as coats, clothing, keys, mobile phones, programmes, etc., on the ledges of boxes, balconies and galleries. Paris Opera may not be held liable for damage of any kind caused directly or indirectly to personal effects, objects or equipment not left in the cloakroom. Audience members are responsible for any damage, direct or indirect, that they may cause on account of their presence at Paris Opera and may incur civil or criminal liability on that account.

It is not permitted to climb onto the stage or enter the wings.

Audience members who leave the auditorium during the performance may not return to their seat until the next suitable break.

Tipping is not allowed at Paris Opera.

Children under five years of age may not access the auditoria unless the performance has been organised specially for them. Children up to the age of fourteen must be seated next to an accompanying adult.

All audience members, minors or adults, must have a valid ticket.

Lost children will be entrusted to a member of front of house staff and escorted to the reception counter at the theatre entrance.

Paris Opera considers that the accompanying adult is best placed to judge whether a performance or production is suitable for the child’s age and maturity.

Tickets will not be refunded. Paris Opera invites audience members to consult the information posted on its website or ask sales staff before buying a ticket for a child.    

Groups must have a leader who undertakes to maintain group discipline and ensure that group members comply with all these regulations.

We recall that it is prohibited to eat, chatter, use mobile phones during the performance, throw objects or disturb the auditory and visual experience of other audience members in any way whatsoever.

The leader shall ensure that each group member has a ticket before their arrival at the theatre.

School groups must be accompanied by a teacher. There must be at least one accompanying adult for 10 pupils up to Year 10/9th grade and one for 15 pupils after Year 10/9th grade.

Accompanying adults are asked to sit among the pupils so that they can take action quickly if necessary.

Specific and dedicated areas in the auditorium are proposed in each theatre. As the number of accessible places is limited, prior reservation with the Accessibility Department is required (accessibilite@operadeparis.fr).

Persons with reduced mobility
At Palais Garnier, access to the auditorium is proposed via the ticket-office entrance on the corner of rue Scribe and rue Auber.
At Opéra Bastille, persons with reduced mobility can access the auditorium via the main entrance.

Blind or partially sighted persons
In collaboration with the non-profit association Accès Culture, the Opera offers visually impaired persons audio-descriptions of certain productions on certain dates. Special headphones that transmit information about the performance in real time are provided free of charge on the specified performance days (prior reservation is required as only a limited number of headphones are available).

Persons with mental or intellectual disabilities
Paris Opera has introduced special “Relax” performances at which the customary codes are relaxed so that all can enjoy the performance and experience their emotions without fear of being judged. Audience members are informed of the fact when they book and should therefore respect these inclusive and caring arrangements. Specially trained front of house staff are on hand at these performances.

Visitors are bound by the rules set forth in Title I of these regulations.

Times of tours are stated on the tickets or passes giving access to them and on the Paris Opera website operadeparis.fr. For security reasons, screening is carried out before the entrance to each theatre. The security controls at the entrance may cause delays.

Guided tours always start precisely at the time stated on the ticket and may not be joined after they have begun. No refunds will be made if visitors are late.

At Palais Garnier, visitors with tickets may access the tour up to one hour before the theatre closes and are invited to make their way to the exit 15 minutes before the doors close.

Within buildings:

• food and drink must be stowed in a closed bag;
• visitors must talk in a low voice.

For tours of the public areas of Palais Garnier, only licensed tour guides (with a professional card worn visibly) and teachers (for school visits) are allowed to lead a group with commentaries.

Except where otherwise authorised by Paris Opera, tour guides or leaders must use audiophones when addressing a group with more than 7 members (except for groups of children under 12 years of age).

Entry to the buildings is possible only on presentation of a valid ticket for the tour as checked at the access control point. Each ticket gives entitlement to one entry only (except for groups with a group ticket).

Visitors should retain their individual entry ticket, which they may be asked to produce at any time.

Visitors in a self-guided group (tours of Palais Garnier) or an organised group (guided tours of Opéra Bastille) should stay close to a lead member holding the group ticket, which they may be asked to produce at any time.

For technical or artistic reasons related to Paris Opera’s activity, access to certain areas may be restricted or prohibited.

The cloakrooms are closed to the public during the daytime.

Paris Opera reserves the right to ask visitors who fail to comply with these regulations to leave.

Persons who leave the tour area will not be readmitted.

All visitors, minors or adults, must have a valid ticket.

For all tours, Paris Opera considers that parents are responsible for checking the conditions of access for minors. These conditions may vary according to the type of tour proposed.

Tours of Opéra Bastille are not available to children under the age of 8. Children up to the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

At Palais Garnier, it is not easy to circulate in the tour areas with a pushchair.

Lost children will be entrusted to a member of front of house staff and escorted to the ticket control counter.

Groups must have a leader who undertakes to maintain group discipline and ensure that group members comply with all these regulations.

Bookings are compulsory for groups and professionals.

Groups who have not purchased their entry tickets beforehand will be refused access to tour areas.

School groups must be accompanied by a teacher. There must be at least one accompanying adult for 10 pupils up to Year 10/9^th grade and one for 15 pupils after Year 10/9^th grade.

Drawing sessions are allowed in the public areas of Palais Garnier if they have been authorised beforehand by the Audience and Visitor Department. Requests should be sent by email to visitegarnier@operadeparis.fr 15 days at the latest before the desired date of visit, including the contents of the syllabus of which the session is a part, signed by the person responsible for it. Students must be divided into small groups in order not to disturb the circulation of other visitors.

For practical and security reasons, the temporary exhibition area, the Palais Garnier shop and the tour of Opéra Bastille are not accessible to persons with reduced mobility.

During performances, free cloakrooms are available to the public where they may leave personal effects voluntarily or compulsorily (on the advice of security officers), with the exception of the items prohibited on Paris Opera premises listed in Article 6.

A cloakroom ticket will be issued for items left at cloakrooms. If the ticket is lost, the items may be recovered only after a detailed description of the item(s) has been given and after all the items left at the cloakroom have been returned. If that is not conclusive, the item(s) will be returned only when the cloakroom closes. Paris Opera accepts items within the limits of each cloakroom’s capacity.

Paris Opera may not be held liable for the theft or loss of or damage to valuables or fragile items left in cloakrooms (including sums of money, identity documents and papers, cheque books, credit cards, jewellery, cameras, computers, mobile phones, tablets, musical instruments, etc.).

All items left in the cloakroom must be recovered on the same day before the theatre closes. Items not recovered will be deemed lost property (see Article 20). Perishable foodstuffs will be destroyed each evening after the theatre closes.

Complaints relating to cloakrooms should be sent to the Audience Experience and Marketing Department: service.spectateurs@operadeparis.fr.

The public are asked to hand any lost property to a member of front of house staff or a security officer.

Audience members who have lost items on our theatre premises may contact:

• Opéra Bastille: +33 (0)1 40 01 17 17 from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

• Palais Garnier: +33 (0)1 40 01 80 80 from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Photography, filming and sound recording are not allowed during performances.

Audience members are informed that their image may appear in recordings or broadcasts of performances.

Outside of performances and during tours, visitors should take care not to disturb other visitors when taking photographs or filming.

Audience members or visitors may take photos or videos for private use, without using a stabiliser. Filming members of Paris Opera staff or service providers’ staff is prohibited.

Professional photography opportunities and location hire are proposed subject to conditions and on prior request made by email to the relevant department at evenementiel@operadeparis.fr.

A member of front of house staff should be immediately informed of any accident or abnormal event or if a person feels unwell or is indisposed. Calm should be maintained if a fire breaks out or a serious accident occurs. Any such event should be immediately notified:

• verbally to a member of front of house staff, security officer, fire officer or any other member of Paris Opera staff;

• in the event of fire, by using the fire alarms situated in various locations on the premises and connected to the central fire station. 

If evacuation or containment measures are necessary, they will be taken under the direction of members of Paris Opera staff. Paris Opera may not be held liable for any accident or incident caused by the behaviour, carelessness or negligence of audience members, who shall assume the legal and financial consequences of their actions. Paris Opera may not be held liable for any theft or loss of the public’s personal effects in the event of a breakdown or failure of equipment or services, restrictions on access or partial or total closure of Paris Opera for reasons, inter alia, of security, maintenance or overcrowding.

For any complaint or claim, members of the public may send:

• an email to service.spectateurs@operadeparis.fr, or

• a letter to Service spectateurs – Opéra national de Paris – 120, rue de Lyon – 75576 Paris cedex 12.

Pursuant to Article R 152-1 of the French Consumer Code, if no solution has been found the public may access a free consumer mediation service either via internet on the mediationconso-ame.com website or by letter sent to AME Conso – 197, boulevard Saint-Germain – 75007 Paris.

Audience members and visitors taking advantage of special conditions of access to Paris Opera performances under agreements between Paris Opera and a partner (theatre, museum, carrier, etc.) may not under any circumstances rely on a failure by said partner to fulfil their obligations to assert a claim against Paris Opera. For all ticket sales for a performance not produced by Paris Opera, the venue’s or producer’s general conditions of sale apply.

These regulations are made public and posted on the operadeparis.fr website and may be provided to the public at any time upon request.