Born into a family of Parisian blacksmiths in 1825, Charles Garnier began studying design at the age of 13, and was admitted to the prestigious École des Beaux‑Arts at 17. Winner of the Premier Grand Prix de Rome in 1848, he spent five years in Italy, at the Villa Medici. On returning to France, Charles Garnier was employed in various roles by the City of Paris, and won the competition to design the new opera house in 1861, completing the building after fourteen years of tireless work. He was later chosen by Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco to oversee the construction of the Casino’s new concert hall. Beginning in May 1878, the work advanced quickly and was completed in under nine months.
