Parisian concert venues

Legendary venues

These legendary performance spaces have played host to the world’s greatest artists. From concert halls to theatres, the capital’s leading venues always have something to offer lovers of quality music.
Théâtre du Châtelet - place du Châtelet - 1st www.chatelet-theatre.com
Théâtre de la Ville - place du Châtelet - 4th www.theatredelaville-paris.com
Théâtre du Rond-Point - 2 bis avenue Franklin-Roosevelt - 8th www.theatredurondpoint.fr
Olympia - 28 boulevard des Capucines - 9th www.olympiahall.com
Le Bataclan - 50 boulevard Voltaire - 11th www.le-bataclan.com
Le Casino de Paris - 16 rue de Clichy - 17th www.casinodeparis.fr
L’Élysée Montmartre - 72 boulevard de Rochechouart - 18th www.elyseemontmartre.com
Le Zénith - 211 avenue Jean-Jaurès - 19th www.le-zenith.com

Landmarks

The architecture of these exceptional buildings puts you in the mood for music or theatre even before the evening’s programme begins.
Salle Pleyel - 252, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré - 8th www.sallepleyel.fr
Comédie Française - 1 place Colette, Paris 1st www.comedie-francaise.fr
Opéra Garnier - 8 rue Scribe - 9th www.operadeparis.fr
Opéra Bastille - 120 rue de Lyon - 12th www.operadeparis.fr
Cité de la Musique - 221 avenue Jean-Jaurès - 19th www.cite-musique.fr

La Cité de la Musique
Opened in 1995 at La Villette, La Cité de la Musique is a space where people can discuss and explore music through a host of activities, including concerts, a museum, exhibitions, information centres, and educational and publishing activities for adults and young people, centred around the theme of music. La Cité is dedicated to representing every musical era, from the Middle Ages to the present, and every genre, including world cultures, jazz, contemporary music, and more.
Cité de la Musique - 221 avenue Jean-Jaurès 19th www.cite-musique.fr

Capital of opera
Paris has three opera houses, each with its own distinctive yet complementary identity. La Bastille is housed in a contemporary glass building on the place de la Bastille and offers dance performances, and classical and contemporary music. The Opéra-Garnier features the finest 19th century works and favours more classical pieces, despite its varied programme. Lastly, the Opéra-Comique, a famous institution located between the grands boulevards and the Bourse, is devoted to operetta.
Opéra Comique - Place Boieldieu - 2nd www.opera-comique.com
Opéra Garnier - 8 rue Scribe - 9th www.operadeparis.fr
Opéra Bastille - 120 rue de Lyon, Paris 12th – www.operadeparis.fr

Recently-opened venues

Le CentQuatre
Since October 2008
Le CentQuatre - 104 rue d’Aubervilliers - 19th www.104.fr

Reopening of Le Palace
Since November 2008
First opened in 1923, this legendary 80’s nightspot was closed for more than 20 years. It reopened its doors as a 1000-seater theatre and a music hall devoted to comedy in November 2008. The site is listed as an historic monument.
Le Palace - 8 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre - 9th www.theatrelepalace.fr

Reopening of the Théâtre des Trois-Baudets
Since February 2009
Dedicated to the performance and promotion of French-language songs in all their splendour, this theatre is currently enjoying a new lease of life. Talented young singers benefit from a 1,000 sq.m air-conditioned and completely sound-proofed space hosting up to 250 people. Open 300 days a year, it boasts two bars and a restaurant. The new direction given to the Trois-Baudet remains true to its original vocation as an incubator of new talent and a future “hub” for artists working in the field of French song.
Théâtre des Trois-Baudets - 64 boulevard de Clichy - 18th www.lestroisbaudets.com

Reopening of the Glaz’art
Since January 2009
Glaz’art - 7-15 avenue de la Porte-de-la-Villette- 19th www.glazart.com

Upcoming venues

Opening of the Gaîté-Lyrique
Autumn 2010
The former Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique is currently being fitted out for its new role as a major European centre for the creation of electronic music and digital arts. This space, which can be adjusted to suit the needs of users, will extend over nine floors, including a performance area with an audience capacity of 300 people sitting and 800 standing.
Gaîté Lyrique - 3 bis rue Papin - 3rd

La Philharmonie de Paris
Autumn 2012
This association, which is supported by the French government and the Ville de Paris, has embarked upon the construction of a musical facility centred around a 2400-seater concert hall in the Parc de la Villette. Mainly devoted to hosting major symphony orchestras, the Philharmonie de Paris will also feature jazz concerts and world music.
www.philharmoniedeparis.com

Jazz in Paris

Whether you’re into the blues, swing, ragtime or New Orleans, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in the city’s numerous jazz clubs. Enjoy performances by the greatest names in jazz or discover less well-known acts in the capital’s more intimate spaces.
Duc des Lombards - 21 boulevard de Sébastopol - 1st www.ducdeslombards.com
Sunset-Sunside Jazz Club - 60 rue des Lombards - 1st www.sunset-sunside.com
Le Caveau de la Huchette - 5 rue de la Huchette - 5th www.caveaudelahuchette.fr
Cascades Élysées - 100 avenue des Champs-Élysées - 8th Tel +33 (0)1 43 59 27 07
Le New Morning - 7-9 rue des Petites-Écuries - 10th www.newmorning.com
Melody Blues - quai de Bercy - 12th www.melodyblues.com
Le Petit Journal Montparnasse - 13 rue du Commandant-René-Mouchotte - 14th www.petitjournal-montparnasse.com

Live rock

A trendsetting genre, rock is more popular in Paris than ever before and continues to send shockwaves through the capital’s alternative venues, such as Le Gibus or Le Point éphémère, which play host to established and emerging groups. If you prefer a pub atmosphere, hop along to the Gambetta or the Pop In, a deceptively peaceful bar with a basement offering evenings devoted to cutting-edge rock. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to explore the Hard Rock Café restaurant and store, and its rock museum!
Hard Rock Café - 14 boulevard Montmartre - 9th Tel +33 (0)1 53 24 60 00
Le Point éphémère - 200 quai de Valmy - 10th - Tel +33 (0)1 40 34 02 48
Le Gibus - 18 rue du Faubourg-du-Temple - 11th Tel +33 (0)1 47 00 78 88
Le Pop in - 105 rue Amelot - 11th Tel +33 (0)1 48 05 56 11
Le Gambetta 104 rue de Bagnolet - 20th Tel +33 (0)1 43 70 52 01

Piano bars

Enjoy a drink or dinner accompanied by the notes of a piano in one of the capital’s many piano bars, each of which enjoys a distinct atmosphere. Often known to a select few, piano bars offer an ideal way to enjoy music in relaxed surroundings, with certain prestigious hotels topping the bill.
Le Sherwood - 3 rue Daunou - 2nd Tel +33 (0)1 42 61 70 94
Le Piano Vache - 8 rue Laplace - 5th www.lepianovache.com
Bar de l’hôtel Lutétia - 45 bd Raspail - 6th lutetia.concorde-hotels.fr
Au Limonaire - 18 cité Bergère - 9th limonaire.free.fr
Bar de l’hôtel Concorde-Lafayette - 3 pl du Général-Koenig, Paris 17th – www.concorde-lafayette.com

Shows and concerts at the museum

As well as having a rich programme of exhibitions, a number of the capital’s museums also have areas reserved for live performance. These rooms host music concerts and shows and contemporary theatre as well as individual artists.

Les cabarets

Paris’s cabarets with their one-hundred-year-old tradition are a source of fascination. The French cancan, immortalized by Toulouse Lautrec, is world famous. Singing, dancing … the choreography is spectacular: on the programm, lighting effects, feathers, sequined costumes, etc.
La Belle Époque - 36 rue des Petits-Champs - 2nd www.belleepoqueparis.com
Le Paradis latin - 28 rue du Cardinal-Lemoine - 5th www.paradis-latin.com
Le Crazy Horse - 12 avenue George-V - 8th www.lecrazyhorseparis.com
Le Lido - 116 bis avenue des Champs-Élysées - 8th www.lido.fr
Le Moulin-Rouge - 82 boulevard de Clichy - 18th www.moulinrouge.fr


Edith Piaf’s Paris
Paris has been home to countless musicians, including Editor Piaf, who added numerous international successes to the French repertoire, such as “La Vie en Rose”, “Hymne de l’Amour” and “Milord”. She left a lasting impression on the capital, especially the Belleville neighbourhood, from rue de Belleville, where she was born, to place Edith Piaf, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of her death. Piaf performed in the capital’s greatest venues, including the Comédie-Française, the Moulin Rouge, Bobin’O and the Olympia, which she saved from bankruptcy. She was laid to rest among numerous other celebrities at the Père Lachaise cemetery. A museum has now been opened in her memory. Discover Piaf’s Paris on a stroll through the capital or as part of an organised tour based on the singer’s life.
La Comédie Française - Place Colette - 1st www.comedie-francaise.fr
Olympia - 28 boulevard des Capucines - 9th www.olympiahall.com
Musée Édith-Piaf - 5 rue Crespin - 11th Tel +33 (0)1 43 55 52 72
Rue de Belleville, rue Rébeval - 19th
Cimetière du Père-Lachaise** - 16 rue du Repos 20e www.pere-lachaise.com
Place Édith-Piaf - 20th
Parcours Cinéma “La Môme” www.cinema.paris.fr


The Pigalle neighbourhood
Located around place Pigalle, between the 11th and 18th arrondissements in Paris, the Pigalle neighbourhood has always been famous for its cabarets and now offers countless performance spaces. From the celebrated Moulin Rouge to the Divan du Monde, the Élysée-Montmartre and La Cigale, visitors are spoilt for choice, with a diverse range of shows on offer. A favourite haunt of musicians from the Paris region and music lovers visiting the city, Pigalle is also home to more than one hundred music stores devoted to the sale and hire of instruments and scores, along with producers of musical equipment, including string instruments.
La Boule Noire - 120 boulevard Rochechouart - 18th www.laboule-noire.fr
La Cigale - 120 boulevard Rochechouart - 18th www.lacigale.fr
Le Divan du Monde 75 rue des Martyrs - 18th www.divandumonde.com
Elysée-Montmartre - 72 boulevard de Rochechouart - 18th www.elyseemontmartre.com
Le Moulin Rouge - 82 boulevard de Clichy, Paris 18th – www.moulinrouge.fr