Entertainment in Paris

With its incomparable historic sites and the rich art collections of the Louvre, Paris is often thought of as the most famous museum in the world. But Paris’s culture is not just about the past; the city of light also celebrates cinema and music, and the nightlife is becoming as exciting as that of London or New York.
The biggest source of entertainment and wonder in Paris is the city itself. It’s full of architectural treasures, and each street, park and district has something to offer. Think of the contrast between the stylish St-Germain-des-Prés with its luxury shops and the picturesque Montmartre, with its painters in the Place du Tertre. What would you say to a stroll along the romanticCanal St-Martin or a walk down the world-famousChamps-Elysées avenue? All along your route you’ll find symbols of the city’s history: what was the purpose of the Eiffel Tower? Did Quasimodo really live in the cathedral of Notre-Dame ? Who built the Arc de Triomphe? Once you’ve got the answers to these fascinating questions you can relax in the capital’s notable parks and gardens: the Buttes-Chaumont, perfect for family outings, or the famousLuxembourg Gardens close to theSorbonne University. Take full advantage of them because they are free.
The museums, on the other hand, have an entrance fee, but they are well worth a visit. Let’s begin with the king of them all, the Louvre with its magnificent glass pyramid. It houses without doubt one of the most remarkable collections of paintings and sculptures in the world, including two legendary works: the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The Georges Pompidou Centre, also known as the Beaubourg, has always divided Parisian opinion: its avant-garde architecture has been compared to a multicoloured steamboat launched in the belly of Paris. Following its recent renovation, it is now open for exhibitions of contemporary art. Besides these essential landmarks, there are a number of small, themed museums that are worth a look. There is the Picasso Musem in the charming Marais district. Less serious but still representative of an important part of Parisian culture, the Museum of Fashion and Textiles pays tribute to the capital’s biggest fashion houses. Finally, the extravagantMuseum of Eroticism in the centre of the Pigalle district is an original place to visit.
The famous film director, François Truffault, said that every French citizen is a cinema critic. No surprise then that Paris is a film-lover’s paradise, with cinemas in almost every district. The big complexes like theUGC Ciné Cité Les Halles show more than fifteen films at once, mostly in their original languages. The MK2 chain, which has less commercial films on smaller screens, has a faithful clientele. The very successful MK2 Quai de Seine has revitalised the Stalingrad area in the northeast of Paris. In the Latin Quarter, normally frequented by students, art and experimental cinemas carry on the French cinematic tradition of showing old films. The Galande Studio often puts on high quality film series and retrospectives.
In its many dimly lit halls, Paris delights a wide audience from the true music lover to the techno fan. Those set on classical music will be thrilled by the opulent Opéra Garnier, and its ultra-modern counterpart, the Opéra Bastille.
The latter has tickets for unbeatable prices. For the jazz lover, Paris recreates the atmosphere of New York with its many clubs in the St-Michel and St-Germain-des-Prés districts; check out the be-bop at the Caveau de la Huchette. In contrast, when it comes to pop and rock concerts, the Parisian scene is not so diverse and relies on more predictable international faces to put on its posters. One venue which tries to overcome this stultifying apathy is the 100-year-old Elysée Montmartre. The legendary Olympia still welcomes the great names of French pop, but it’s faded slightly since the days when Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf pulled in the crowds. Nowadays the young are more interested in techno and French electronic music called “French touch. TheBatofar, a red boat moored on the Seine, rides this wave and puts on excellent evenings dedicated to digital music.
Parisian nightlife in general is on the up, and no longer lags seriously behind London. The main talk is of cool bars like the Café Charbon or theBar du Marché, which stay open until two in the morning. Nowadays Parisians also have a club culture, with numerous places opening and DJs in action all night. The Queen and the Bains are beacons in the Parisian night, but clubs such as the Barfly, the Cabaret and Barrio Latino attract a new clientele of night owls who want a choice of venues. Visitors to the capital can take advantage of this new culture and the return of big musical shows at the Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse. You’d almost think you were on Broadway.
This brief taster of Paris’ entertainment scene would not be complete without mention of that epitome of family fun, Disneyland Paris. This remains the main attraction on Paris’s doorstep, and visitors flock from all over Europe. The French attempts to compete – Astérix park , and Thoiry wildlife park – don’t really stand a chance.