Four Things to Know Before You Start

Here are four tips to keep in mind as you follow the tour.

1. Where the tour starts. The tour begins at Place de l'Opéra. You'll hear about the Palais Garnier's main façade from the square first, then walk to the entrance and head inside. The walk from the square to the entrance takes about five minutes, so rather than arriving right at your entry time, show up 10 to 20 minutes early and start listening.

2. Finding your way. The palace has an unusual layout and it's easy to get lost. At the end of each track, we've added a short video showing the route to the next stop, so follow along with it as you move.

3. Areas that may be closed. Spaces such as the auditorium and the loggia are sometimes closed to visitors, and when there's a performance or rehearsal, you won't be able to enter the auditorium. In that case, take a seat on one of the chairs outside the auditorium doors, listen to that track casually, and move on to the next stop. Some areas may also be closed for construction. If that happens, leave a comment on the track saying something like "The exterior is under construction and I couldn't get into X," and we'll update the tour quickly so other travelers can enjoy a smoother visit.

4. The chime. When you hear a "ding-dong" sound, it's a cue to look at the photo on your screen.