In the 19th century, a visit to the opera house was primarily a social event; it was all about seeing and being seen. This needed a special setting in the form of an outstanding interior.
The architect created a circular Salon du Glacier with a striking marble staircase and a huge auditorium in red and gold, featuring four balconies and a ceiling painting by Marc Chagall (originally painted by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu, in 1964 a new ceiling painted by Marc Chagall was installed on a removable frame above the original).
The staircase is made of white marble and divides into two divergent tiers leading to the Grand Foyer. The pedestals of the staircase are decorated with female torches, and the ceiling above the staircase depicts scenes from Greek mythology.
