Rouen
Rouen’s premier concert venue brings to the stage musiques actuelles (contemporary music) of every sort. Situated 2km west of the cathedral, on the other…
Must-see entertainment in France
Blois
A sound-and-light show brings the château’s history and architecture to life with dramatic lighting and narration; an all-new 360-degree spectacle was…
Lyon
This former factory and birthplace of cinema now screens films of all genres and eras in their original languages. From approximately June to September,…
Marseille
With a 1400-capacity club and concert space for 2800, this eclectic music venue is in the Joliette neighbourhood north of the Vieux Port. Check out the…
Toulouse
This concert hall has been vibrating with the sounds of rock, pop, world music and DJ sets for more than 30 years. It's at the southern end of metro line…
Lyon
In an old industrial building near the Parc de la Tête d'Or's northeastern corner, Lyon's prime concert venue draws international acts on the European…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Within the red-tiled cultural centre Espace Jemmapes on Canal St-Martin, French hip-hop, slam, chanson and more blasts on stage at concert venue La Scène…
Colmar
Next to the Musée d’Unterlinden, this is Colmar’s biggest stage, hosting concerts, ballet, plays and even the occasional opera.
Lyon
Lyon's leading jazz club, around since 1948, has a stone-walled, cavelike interior that creates an intimate setting for live bands. Main acts take the…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This 1930s cinema-theatre now serves as a music hall for pop, rock and soul concerts. Theatre, comedy, magic shows and performances for children also take…
Nice
Near the cathedral square, Shapko stages live music nightly in a variety of genres: blues, funk, jazz, R&B, soul, rock and more. Happy hour runs from 6pm…
Paris
It hosts theatre and music too, but this venue is best known for its contemporary dance productions. It's expected to reopen following renovations in late…
Bordeaux
Designed by Victor Louis (of Chartres Cathedral fame), this grand 18th-century theatre stages operas, ballets and concerts of orchestral and chamber music.
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Many of Paris’ young and daring talents in movement, music and theatre perform at this independent, alternative performance space in the creative 20e.
Paris
This concert hall hosts performers such as Patricia Kaas, the Pretenders, Status Quo and Jamiroquai, as well as acts like the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Metz
Rock and jazz bands take to the stage in the Gothic cellar and, in summer, the atmospherically lit cloister of this convent turned soulful arts venue.
Lyon
A dedicated Guignol theatre in Croix Rousse. Puppeteers give audiences a behind-the-scenes peek at the props and puppets after certain performances.
Toulouse
Party hard on a converted canal boat, with regular electro, disco and rock nights. Check its website for events (timings vary depending on the gig).
Clermont-Ferrand
Cavernous warehouse concert venue, where rock, pop and the occasional local festival light up the stage.
Bordeaux
Music concerts embracing all genres – classical, jazz, blues, world music, orchestral performances – take to the stage at this concert hall.
Bayonne
Down an alley in the old town, this venerable late-night cabaret venue serves up a mixed program of comedy, world music, salsa and live jazz.
Auditorium Orchestre National de Lyon
Lyon
Built in 1975, this spaceship-like auditorium houses the National Orchestra of Lyon, along with workshops, jazz and world-music concerts.
Lyon
Catch a traditional puppet show featuring Lyon's charismatic little raconteur, Guignol, at this great puppet theatre in Vieux Lyon.
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Big-name music and show venue. Buy tickets in advance at branches of Fnac or at the door.
Paris
Reopened after full-scale renovations in 2019, this 2046-capacity venue stages concerts, operas, musicals, theatre and dance.
Angers
Art cinema that shows non-dubbed films, many of them in English, on its seven screens. Look for the bright-red neon sign.
Paris
This horse-racing track in the Bois de Boulogne hosts steeplechases March to June and September to early December.
Tours
This impressive Italianate theatre building, opened in 1889, hosts operas, symphonies, chamber music and other concerts.
Paris
This domed stadium out beyond La Défense is home to Paris rugby club Racing 92. Big-name rock acts also perform here.
Yonne
Vézelay's academy of vocal music stages free concerts in the basilica and elsewhere around town throughout the year.
Paris
The French national theatre located beneath the Trocadéro esplanade primarily stages modern-dance productions.
Paris
The Parc des Princes is the home ground of Paris' top-division football (soccer) team, Paris St-Germain (PSG).
Avignon
Four-screen art-house cinema at cultural centre La Manutention which shows films in their original language.
Dijon
Dijon's grand neoclassical opera house, completed in 1828, hosts occasional concerts throughout the year.
Château de Chambord Equestrian Show
The Loire Valley
This 45-minute show features horses and riders in colourful, François I-themed dress, and birds of prey.
Lyon
This dedicated Guignol theatre is in the Parc de la Tête d'Or. Performances last about 25 minutes.
Marseille
This intimate, low-ceilinged, live-music venue is one Marseille's best for alternative bands.
Angers
Hosts opera, music, theatre and dance in an imposing neoclassical building (1871).
Latin Quarter
Cult films screen in their original languages at this cinephiles' favourite.
