Whilst in Paris recently I was able to go on backstage tours, to see areas not normally open to the public, of two great Paris Opera houses, Palais Garnier (famous for the Phantom!) and Le Chatelet.
The Palais Garnier is a 1,979-seat opera house, which was built between 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera and Le Chatelet was built between 1860 and 1862. Originally with 3,000 seats, it has undergone remodelling and name changes over the years. Currently it seats 2,500 people.
Photography was strictly forbidden backstage but I was able to take shots of the lush interiors.