Nice
One of a strip of raucous drinking holes on the edge of the old town, Wayne’s is a proper pub, through and through: plenty of beers on tap, a nightly…
Must-see entertainment in France
Metz
Bearing the hallmark of Catalan postmodernist architect Ricardo Bofill, this striking Jeumont-stone building sits on the site of the former arsenal. It…
Paris
This 12-sided pavilion-style theatre was built in 1883 by Charles Garnier (who designed Paris' Palais Garnier opera house). The main theatre, with a…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Unique and fascinating exhibitions – usually art or installation-art orientated – are the mainstay of this vibrant cultural centre in Le Marais. Families…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Bucolically set in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, this guinguette (old-fashioned dance hall) morphs from a daytime cafe into a jam-packed dance floor by…
Versailles
The prestigious Académie du Spectacle Équestre presents spectacular Reprises Musicales, for which tickets sell out weeks in advance; call for information…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
The place to be in the 1960s (Dalí, Hallyday and Jagger all hung out here), the Bus is back in business half-a-century later, with a mixed bag of…
Nantes
This café concert is just that – a cosy and eclectic space for lounging over drinks and live jazz, soul, funk and electro from around 9pm. On Tuesday…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
This old-fashioned bistro and musette at the top of Parc de Belleville is an atmospheric venue for performances of chansons featuring accordions and an…
Versailles
Following these evening magical 'dancing water' displays – set to music composed by Baroque- and classical-era composers – in the palace grounds,…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
With an old timber bar and smattering of tables, this little backstreet club with a capacity of just 40 or so is a fantastically atmospheric place to…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
On busy rue de Rivoli, a tiny street frontage gives way to a fantastically atmospheric vaulted stone cellar with jazz concerts most nights; check the…
Montpellier
Free live music gigs (folk, soul, blues, pop, swing, rock and reggae) take place most nights at this intimate pub venue, but it also hosts stand-up comedy…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
The doors of this snug New York–style jazz club regularly stay open until dawn. Piano duets, blues, sax solos and singers feature on the bill from 8.30pm…
Bayonne
Hidden down a backstreet, this atmospheric trinquet (indoor court) stages main nue pelota (bare-hand pelota) matches under an impressive timber-framed…
Lyon
In a handy Vieux Lyon location, this modern spot hosts live jazz in a comfy setting, with a full menu and sharing plates available. The music starts…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Catch circus, theatre, music, monthly balls, magic shows and an eclectic range of other events at this former funeral parlour turned city-funded art space…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Founded in 1680, this is one of three Comédie Française venues, along with the Right Bank's main Salle Richelieu and Studio Théâtre. It presents works by…
Paris
Opened by the founder of the Moulin Rouge in 1888, the Olympia has hosted all the big names over the years, from Édith Piaf to Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Buckley…
Perpignan
Live bands, especially rock, punk and funk, play at this alternative venue; DJs and hip-hop artists also regularly rev up the crowds. Check its Facebook…
Lyon
One of Lyon's most famous puppet theatres, Théâtre Le Guignol de Lyon has a collection of about 300 puppets. As with many other puppet theatres, shows run…
Latin Quarter
Even locals find it easy to miss the small doorway leading to rue Mouffetard’s little two-screen cinema, which shows art-house flicks such as Julie Delpy…
Paris
Exceptional acoustics make this 1907-built concert hall a superb place to catch chamber music, piano recitals, orchestras and theatre performances. It has…
Paris
The historic Longchamp racetrack specialises in flat races, with the highlight of the year coming on the first Sunday in October, when it hosts the Prix…
Paris
World music dominates this perennially popular Bastille dance club, with happening Latino DJs and live reggae, funk and Afro jazz concerts. Prices vary…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Free concerts by local and international artists (mainly rock and indie) kick off from 9pm Monday to Saturday at this laid-back space, while Sundays see…
Bordeaux
Catch live bands at Rock School Barbey, funky host to a stream of up-and-coming French and international indie bands. Admission prices vary depending on…
Lyon
Free summer concerts under the Opéra's arches, ranging from swing to blues and funk to jazz. Waiters circulate with drinks as the music plays. Hour-long…
Lille
A former cinema with balcony seating is now one of Lille's best live music venues, with a capacity of 900. Local and international rock, indie and pop…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This cool space in the Parc de la Villette (it looks like a gigantic yurt) hosts African, reggae and raï concerts as well as DJ nights that last till dawn…
Théâtre Gabrielle Dorziat – Le Salmanazar
Épernay
Built in the decorative Louis XV style in 1898, Théâtre Gabrielle Dorziat still shows shell and bullet marks from WWII. It now stages everything from edgy…
Paris
There are two venues in one at this well-respected club, which hosts electric jazz, fusion and occasional salsa at Sunset, in the vaulted cellar, and…
Amiens
Kids (and the rest of the family) will love the traditional marionette shows – even if they're not fluent in both French and Picard. Check the program and…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This highly regarded auditorium with excellent acoustics hosts big-name jazz concerts (Ravi Coltrane, Lake Street Dive) as well as a variety of blues,…
Aix-en-Provence
This cave-like bar is an old favourite for jazz, rock, funk, Brazilian or whatever regular band is booked that night. The music starts at 11pm and goes…
Dijon
The region's leading classical-music venue, Opéra de Dijon holds concerts at its modern 1611-seat auditorium and at the 692-seat, 19th-century Grand…
Latin Quarter
Piano recitals (Chopin, Liszt) are staged at least two evenings a week in one of the oldest churches in Paris. Higher-priced tickets directly face the…
Montpellier
You can’t miss this long-standing venue – just look out for the tail fins of the ’70s Cadillac jutting out above the entrance. It’s one of the city’s best…
Paris
Known for its Afro and Latin jazz, and jazz fusion concerts, the Salty Kiss combines big names and unknown artists. The place has a relaxed vibe, with…
Grenoble
Grenoble’s most dynamic all-round theatre for drama, dance, music and circus arts. It's situated about 2km south of the centre – take tram line A to 'MC2 …
