Experience an unforgettable night at the Palais Garnier with the Phantom of the Opera.

Imagine surrendering to your wildest fantasies at the Palais Garnier, the iconic opera house in Paris. On July 16, 2023, a fortunate couple will get to explore the intricate corridors, stretching over seven miles, with only the Phantom as their companion. Their luxurious stay will be in the beautifully restored Box of Honor, available for a symbolic price of 37 euros, reflecting the box number.

Airbnb is known for its unique experiences, like the overnight stays at the Hobbiton set, inside the Louvre’s pyramid, or at the Home Alone film location in Chicago. However, this particular event stands out not only for its breathtaking Parisian setting but also for its timing, coinciding with the final Broadway performance of The Phantom of the Opera on April 16. This event highlights Airbnb’s commitment to heritage tourism.

Last year, Airbnb contributed 5.6 million euros to the Fondation du Patrimoine, supporting the restoration of historic properties throughout France. Emmanuel Marill, Airbnb’s director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, emphasized, “Our focus is on homes and hosts, so by investing in these historic properties, we’re preserving the rich stories they hold.” The Palais Garnier serves as a prime example of this, providing guests with authentic experiences—there are 6,000 castles and manors to choose from across France.

Heritage ignites as much pride among the French as their national soccer team, and Airbnb is looking to enhance this growing tourism trend while also promoting sustainability to improve energy efficiency in homes.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment for five years, ever since our office opened right across from the Paris Opera,” said Marill. “This site is one of the most stunning in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.”

Built by Emperor Napoleon III as a grand palace in the heart of Paris, the Palais Garnier has been a prestigious venue since its opening in 1875. Its facade is an iconic representation of the city, but many hidden gems remain off-limits to the public. This includes the rooftop with beehives producing honey and the underground “lake” that inspired the Phantom’s lair. Guests will have access to this real cistern, larger than an Olympic pool at 54 x 45 meters, which serves as a fire reservoir. Here, Paris firefighters conduct their underwater training in the depths.

The host of this Airbnb experience is Véronique Leroux, the great-granddaughter of novelist Gaston Leroux. Long before Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical took the stage, Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera was a bestselling 1910 novel that captivated audiences worldwide. “Agatha Christie drew inspiration from him,” Leroux noted. “His works are seen as the ‘science fiction’ of their time. He began his career as a journalist, and all his novels were based on true stories.”

Remember the iconic chandelier crash from the musical? It actually occurred in 1896—not the light, but a counterweight that tragically fell onto the audience. As for the ghost rumored to haunt the opera house, legend has it that after the 1873 fire that ravaged the Salle Le Peletier, the former home of the Paris Opera, a pianist—disfigured by the flames—took refuge beneath the Palais Garnier, mourning the loss of his ballerina fiancée.

“At the Opera, reality is often stranger than fiction,” remarked guide Sandrine Faucher.

These intriguing stories and more will be shared by Leroux with the overnight guests at the Opera. For 40 years, she managed a beloved Montmartre restaurant called La Cave de Gaston Leroux, which doubled as a museum preserving her great-grandfather’s legacy. Interestingly, she trained as a ballerina at the Paris Opera starting at age seven. “At the end of the training season, we had to compete in a dance contest, but the worst part was the medical examination. They told me to return next year if I gained two to three kilos. I was cut because I was deemed too skinny!”

For the Airbnb experience, Leroux has provided two original first-edition books, prominently displayed on the antique bedside table alongside a pair of vintage opera glasses. The Box of Honor has been beautifully restored by Airbnb, featuring luxurious fabrics and antiques sourced from renowned Paris flea markets, with assistance from historians and archivists. This renovation is part of a larger donation from Airbnb to support the restoration of the Palais Garnier boxes. From this spot, you can admire the grandeur of the auditorium, the largest Italian-style theater in the world, spacious enough to accommodate the Arc de Triomphe.

While the red velvet seats may be vacant, beware of the Phantom’s Box No. 5—approach with caution as you enter “The Point of No Return.”

How to make a reservation

The overnight experience is scheduled for Sunday, July 16, 2023, priced at 37 euros (approximately US$40). Bookings will open at 6 p.m. CET (12 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at airbnb.com/opera.

The experience includes:

• Accommodation in the luxurious Box of Honor
• A guided exploration of the Palais Garnier’s hidden areas, including the underground cistern that’s typically off-limits
• A private ballet performance by a dancer from the Paris Opera
• A champagne aperitif accompanied by a performance from the Paris Opera Academy
• Dinner in the Foyer de la Danse, a historic space where ballerinas rehearsed in front of audiences
• A tour of the dance studios on the top floor, offering stunning views of Paris