Other entertainment in France
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Absolut Lounge
Absolut Lounge is a sophisticated joint serving good food and yummy cocktails along with plenty of room to chill to the electro-jazz wafting out of the sound system. Don't wear turquoise and red or you'll blend in with the decor.
reviewed
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MK2 Bibliothèque
This branch of the ever-growing chain (nine outlets at the most recent count) next to the Bibliothèque Nationale is the most ambitious yet, with 14 screens, a trendy café, brasserie, restaurant, late-night bar and a trio of shops specialising in DVDs, books and comics and graphic novels respectively. MK2 Bibliothèque cinemas show a variety of blockbusters and studio films, so there’s always something for everyone. Don’t miss MK2 Quai de Seine ([tel] 08 92 69 84 84; 14 quai de Seine, 19e; [metro] Jaurès or Stalingrad) and MK2 Quai de Loire ([tel] 08 92 69 84 84; 7 quai de Loire, 19e; [metro] Jaurès or Stalingrad), which face one another across from the canal and ar…
reviewed
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Grandes Eaux Musicales
In the Château de Versailles gardens’, a truly magical, must-experience are the Grandes Eaux Musicales and Grandes Eaux Nocturnes fountain displays set to the sweet tones of baroque and classical composers throughout the grounds in summer. The grand finale of these fabulous fountain dances to soul-stirring classical music sees the Bassin de Neptune flow for 10 minutes from 5.20pm. Set the soul stirring still further with the fountains’ fabulous summertime performances at night! Brilliantly lit, it is a performance to remember. Reserve tickets in advance at the Billeterie Spectacle in front of the château or on the same day directly at the garden entrances.
reviewed
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Stade Roland Garros
By far the glitziest annual sporting event in Paris is the French Open, the second of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, held on clay at the 16,500-seat Stade Roland Garros in the Bois de Boulogne from late May to mid-June. Tickets are expensive and like gold dust; they go on sale mid-December and bookings must be made by March. They are only available online or via mail. One week prior to the competition (on the first day of the qualifiers), remaining tickets are sold from the box office at the entrance to the stadium.
reviewed
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Peniche el Alamein
The third in the trendy trio afloat opposite the library, this deep-purple boat is strung with terracotta pots of flowers from head to toe, making it a lovely spot on the Seine to sip away summer evenings – the deck is open from 4.30pm when the sun shines. Sit amid flowering tulips and enjoy live bands playing from 9pm; flyers are stuck on the lamppost in front. Its sound – less hectic than its next-door neighbours, hence the older crowd – embraces jazz, world and Piaf-style chansons françaises (French songs) of 1930s Paris.
reviewed
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Studio Théâtre
Founded in 1680 under Louis XIV, the ‘French Comedy’ theatre bases its repertoire around the works of classic French playwrights such as Molière, Racine, Corneille, Beaumarchais, Marivaux and Musset, though in recent years contemporary and even – shock, horror! – non-French works have been staged. This is one of three venues including the main Salle Richelieu on place Colette and the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier.
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Le Redlight
It seems that this underground (literally) venue beneath Tour Montparnasse, fittingly called l’enfer (hell) in a previous life, will never perish. Up there among Paris’ busiest house, techno and electro clubs, its podiums get packed out with a young, dance-mad crowd well past dawn. French Kiss ‘after’ parties often kick off at 6am. Huge and laser-lit, its hours vary depending on the soirée – see its website for flyers – and admission is often half-price before 1am.
reviewed
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Théâtre de la Ville
While the Théâtre de la Ville also hosts theatre and music, it’s most celebrated for its contemporary dance productions by such noted choreographers as Merce Cunningham, Angelin Preljocaj and Maguy Marin. Depending on availability, students and those under 30 can buy up to two tickets from €10 on the day of the performance. There are no performances in July and August. Its sister venue, the Théâtre de la Ville-Salle Abbesses, stages more avant-garde productions.
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Théâtre du Vieux Colombier
Founded in 1680 under Louis XIV, the ‘French Comedy’ theatre bases its repertoire around the works of classic French playwrights such as Molière, Racine, Corneille, Beaumarchais, Marivaux and Musset, though in recent years contemporary and even – shock, horror! – non-French works have been staged. This is one of three venues including the main Salle Richelieu on place Colette and the Studio Théâtre.
reviewed
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La Dame de Canton
This floating boîte (club) aboard a three-masted Chinese junk with a couple of world voyages under its belt is moored opposite the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Called Cabaret Pirate and Guinguette Pirate in previous lives, it re-adopted its maiden name – the ‘Lady from Canton’ – in 2008 to mark its 30th birthday. Concerts (8.30pm) range from pop and indie to electro, hip hop, reggae and rock; afterwards, DJs keep the young crowd moving.
reviewed
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Lucinaire
Sunday-evening concerts are a permanent fixture on the impressive repertoire of this dynamic Centre National d’Art et d’Essai (National Arts Centre) sandwiched between the Jardin du Luxembourg and Montparnasse. Be it classical guitar, baroque, French chansons or oriental music, these weekly concerts starting at 6.30pm are a real treat. Art and photography exhibitions, cinema, theatre, lectures, debates and guided walks round off the packed cultural agenda.
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Le Wagg
The Wagg is a UK-style Conran club (associated with the popular Fabric in London), beautifully dressed in slick fixtures and contemporary design, but with a somewhat stifled vibe. Last time we looked it had been taken over by the salsa craze – indeed, it opens early on Sunday to host a two-hour salsa class followed by une soirée 100% cubaine. Find event flyers posted on the blog (www.blogalcazar.fr) of the neighbouring Conran restaurant.
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L'Olympia
The Olympia was opened by the founder of the Moulin Rouge in 1888 and is said to be the oldest concert hall in Paris. It’s an atmospheric venue of manageable size, with a sloping floor. It has hosted all the big names over the years, from Johnny Halliday to Jimi Hendrix. This is the hallowed venue of one of Édith Piaf’s last performances, and what Jeff Buckley considered his best ever concert, the seminal Live at l’Olympia in 1995.
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Point Virgule
This tiny and convivial comedy spot in the Marais has been going strong for well over five decades. It offers café-theatre at its best – stand-up comics, performance artists, musical acts. The quality is variable, but it’s great fun and the place has a reputation for discovering new talent. There are at least three shows daily, usually at 7pm, 8pm and 9.15pm, with additional ones at 2.30pm, 4pm and 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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Le Petit Journal St-Michel
Classic jazz concerts kick off at 9.15pm in the atmospheric downstairs cellar – think St-Germain des Prés during the 1950s – of this sophisticated jazz venue across from the Jardin du Luxembourg. Everything ranging from Dixieland and vocals to big band and swing sets punters’ toes tapping, and Monday-night jam sessions are free entry. Dinner (menus €44 and €47) is served at 8pm, should you wish to make a meal of it.
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Café Universel
Café Universel hosts a brilliant array of live concerts with everything from bebop and Latin sounds to vocal jazz sessions. Plenty of freedom is given to young producers and artists, and its convivial relaxed atmosphere attracts a relaxed mix of students and jazz lovers. Particularly lively are its vocal jam sessions, every Tuesday from 9pm until just after midnight. Its complete monthly agenda is posted online.
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La Favela Chic
It starts as a chic, convivial restaurant (open for lunch and dinner to 11pm) and gives way to caipirinha- and mojito-fuelled bumping, grinding, flirting and dancing (mostly on the long tables). The music is traditionally bossa nova, samba, baile (dance) funk and Brazilian pop, and it can get very crowded and hot. They’ve become so popular they’ve opened a branch in London’s Hoxton.
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Le Regard du Cygne
Le Regard du Cygne prides itself on being an independent, alternative performance space. Situated in the creative 20e, this is where many of Paris’ young and daring talents in movement, music and theatre congregate to perform. If you’re in the mood for some innovative and experimental modern dance, performance or participation, this is the place to come. The box office is open one hour before performances.
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Cinéma des Cinéastes
Founded by the three Claudes (Miller, Berri and Lelouch) and Betty Blue director Jean-Jacques Beneix, this is a three-screen theatre dedicated to quality cinema, be it French or foreign, but always avant-garde. Thematic showings, documentaries and meet-the-director sessions round out the repertoire. Don’t miss the excellent Bar à Vins du Cinéma des Cinéastes on the 1st floor.
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Chez Adel
Chez Adel is a truly Parisian concept: Syrian hosts with guest chansonniers (as well as Gypsy, folk and world music singers) performing most nights to a mixed and enthusiastic crowd. Mains cost from €7.50. The part-Parisian, part-Eastern décor of this simple bistro looks better as the owners’ punch goes down. Music starts at 7pm weekdays and at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
reviewed
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Showcase
This gigantic electro club has solved the neighbour-versus-noise problem that haunts so many other Parisian nightlife spots: it’s secreted away beneath a bridge alongside the Seine. Unlike many of the other exclusive backstreet clubs along the Champs, the Showcase can pack ‘em in (up to 1500 clubbers) and is less stringent about its door policy, though you’ll still want to look like a star.
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La Flèche d'Or
Just over 1km northeast of place de la Nation and housed in a former railway station on the outer edge of central Paris, this music bar has reinvented itself attracting a young and alternative crowd with not just its indie rock concerts but also its house/electro DJ nights. The ‘Golden Arrow’ – that was the train to Calais in the 1930s – has a solid reputation for promoting young talent.
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Queen
Once the king (as it were) of gay discos in Paris, Le Queen now reigns supreme with a very mixed crowd, though it still has a mostly gay Disco Queen on Monday. While right on the Champs-Élysées, it’s not as difficult to get into as it used to be – and not nearly as inaccessible as most of the nearby clubs. There’s a festive atmosphere and mix of music with lots of house and electro.
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Opéra Comique
This century-old hall has premiered many important French operas and continues to host classic and less-known works. Buy tickets online or from the box office ([hrs] 11am-7pm Mon-Sat, to 5pm Sun)on the other side of the square from the theatre. Subject to availability, students and those under 28 can buy tickets from €15 (but often not for weekend performances).
reviewed
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Le Djoon
In an area increasingly known for its cutting-edge venues, this urbanite, New York–inspired loft club and restaurant has carved out a name for itself as a super-stylish weekend venue for soul, funk, deep house, garage and disco, courtesy of different visiting DJs. Thursday and Sunday evenings are tamer but still 100% DJ-fed dance. Look for the striking glass-and-steel façade.
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