The Ballet of the Opéra national de Paris is considered one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world. With more than 200 curtain rises per season, at both the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Bastille, its 154 dancers perform in major ballets from the repertoire as well as contemporary creations.

Heir to the Royal Academy of Dance founded by Louis XIV, the Ballet of the Opéra is rooted in an ancestral history passed down from generation to generation. It embodies this “French school”, renowned for its precision, elegance and rigour.

Yet behind the brilliance of the performances lies a long process of training and transformation. From the Dance School to the stage, dancers are part of a system of learning and transmission that gradually shapes their technique, discipline and artistic identity.

From the daily classes of the Ballet artists to rehearsals with ballet masters and guest choreographers, from the exceptional savoir-faire of the costume workshops to performances on stage, the exhibition unveils the backstage world of the Ballet of the Opéra. Visitors discover how performers progress from the rank of Quadrille to that of Étoile, and how their individual journeys contribute to a collective history: that of an institution which, while preserving its heritage, continues to invent the ballet of today.

Free entrance

Gallery, Level 2

Opening hours: 
Tuesday to Friday: 1.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am - 6.00 pm

If you wish to privatize the gallery during the time of the exhibition and enjoy a private discovery of the exhibition as a group or a company, we would be delighted to build a tailor-made experience for you and your peers! Kindly reach out to us at culturalaffairs@alliancefrancaise.org.sg