Must-see entertainment in France
Marseille
Hidden away amongst the garages and graffiti-scrawled walls of a rather unassuming side street, Le Poste à Galène is a rough-and-ready 300-seat venue…
Latin Quarter
On the first and third Friday of the month at 10.30pm this high-spirited Mexican-themed bar really comes into its own when its vaulted cellar hosts masked…
Paris
This is the legendary club where Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields and Stan Laurel appeared on stage together one night in 1911, and where Josephine Baker –…
Auvergne
Vichy's original casino, opened in 1865, was one of the first in France. Today punters can play blackjack, roulette or feed coin-slot machines in the…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Opened in 1902, this music hall features two levels of balconies as well as a main floor area. An intimate spot to catch a quality show: think Macy Gray,…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Clowns, trapeze artists and acrobats have entertained children of all ages since 1852 at the city's winter circus on the edge of Le Marais. Performances…
Latin Quarter
Do the time warp again at this cult cinema, which, since the early 1980s, has screened The Rocky Horror Picture Show (in English) without interruption…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
This tiny and convivial comedy spot in Le Marais has been going strong since the 1970s, hosting stand-up comics, performance artists and musical acts. The…
Paris
'Floating cultural centre' Petit Bain has a packed program of DJs, club events and concerts – from soul, funk, punk, pop, rock and hip-hop to headbanging…
Toulouse
Catch live jazz at this slinky, speakeasy-style bar-restaurant with a tasty (though rather pricey) menu of fish and meat dishes (from €42). Certain events…
The Pyrenees
The Stade du Hameau is the home arena to Pau’s rugby team, Section Paloise, as well as Pau FC, the city's semi-pro football club. The 18,000-seat arena is…
Paris
First opened in 1863 and rebuilt in 1879 following the Franco-Prussian War, this hippodrome in the Bois de Vincennes hosts horse races and trotting races…
Savoie
Built in neoclassical style between 1883 and 1885, and once connected to the Casino, this functioning theatre has an impressive façade and sumptuously…
Nice
Most days of the week, this old-fashioned place is simply a neighbourhood hang-out where locals gather for wine and conversation. The real highlight is…
Lyon
Lyon's football team Olympique Lyonnais played its last game in this 1920s-built stadium in December 2015. Today, the 25,000-seat arena is the home field…
St-Jean de Luz
In summer, frequent pelota matches take place at Jaï Alaï St-Jean de Luz, 1km northeast of the train station. The tourist office can supply times and…
Nantes
This art-house cinema screens the latest in foreign and alternative films, many in VO (version original; original language). To save cents, come on…
Bordeaux
Occasional art exhibitions and cultural happenings are held in this former covered market hall, an eye-catching glass-and-iron structure designed by…
Paris
Be it street-art exhibitions, hip-hop gigs, fashion shows, club nights or film screenings, this contemporary raw-concrete space inside Palais de Tokyo…
Lyon
To join the crowds jumping wildly up and down, buy Olympique Lyonnais football match tickets online, at the stadium or from the club’s downtown boutique,…
Bordeaux
Plays, dance performances, variety shows and concerts. Buy tickets in advance at the box office inside Galerie Bordelaise.
Paris
Buy tickets for concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events at billetteries (box offices) in branches of Fnac, or by phone or online.
Marseille
Jive to jazz, unwind to piano and song, or fill the busy pavement terrace to enjoy a (somewhat pricey) drink. There's live music most nights from 7.30pm.
Bordeaux
For theatre tickets and tickets for concerts, gigs and so on, head to this ticket office inside Bordeaux's covered shopping gallery, Galerie Bordelaise.
Nice
This community theatre in the heart of Vieux Nice has an active following and still produces some plays in Nissart, the local Niçois dialect.
Biarritz
Biarritz' stadium, 2km east of the centre, is home to the local rugby team, Olympique, and hosts professional pelota matches in the complex.
Lyon
Lyon's home of contemporary dance, Maison de la Danse specialises in mainstream and avant-garde productions by French and international companies.
Biarritz
From July to mid-September, the open-air fronton (pelota court) has regular matches. Ask at the tourist office for match times.
Clermont-Ferrand
Art-house movie theatre, screening world cinema, old classics and the occasional Hollywood blockbuster, a short walk north of place de Jaude.
Paris
This century-old hall (renovated in 2016) has premiered many important French operas and continues to host classic and less-known works.
Marseille
Since 1981, this 280-seat theatre has presented dance and drama. The name 'Criée' refers to the fish-auctions once held on the site.
Avignon
Inside La Manutention arts centre, AJMI showcases improvisational jazz at its intimate 2nd-floor (no elevator) black-box theatre.
Nice
The neighbourhood's favourite cinema screens a good mix of current releases and independent films, including many in English.
Avignon
Built in 1847, Avignon's main classical venue presents operas, plays, chamber music and ballet from October to June.
Paris
Pick up half-price tickets for same-day performances of ballet, opera and music at this freestanding kiosk.
