Paris Entertainment
ART & CULTURE
When thinking about art, ones mind automatically turns to Paris, a city that is
itself a work of art. For there is everything here that you might want:
collections by the Great Masters, (Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Rodin, and more)
modern and contemporary art, cultural centres and immense libraries. In short,
Paris? reputation as a culinary centre is more than matched by its ability to
satiate any cultural hunger.
Museums
The museums of Paris are numerous, and of excellent quality. The most famous,
naturally, is the immense and magnificent Musée du Louvre, which is in itself
an architectural work of art (a 16-century royal residence). If you love
Impressionist and postimpressionist art, then you should certainly visit the
Musée d?Orsay, and in the Musée Picasso in the Marais, you will find a
wonderful presentation of Picassos works. Modern art is well represented in the
Musée National d?Art Moderne- Centre Georges Pompidou, an enormous rectangular
building, both familiar and extravagant at the same time, and loved and hated
with the same intensity by Parisians, because of its modern appearance. If you
like sculpture, don't miss the Musée Rodin, second only to the Louvre, located
in the house where the artist lived and worked until his death.
Exhibitions & Photography
Although there are wonderful exhibitions everywhere, suitable for all tastes,
the most significant displays are in the Grand Palais, the Galerie Nationale du
Jeu de Paume and, again, in the Louvre. Visit the Maison Européenne de la
Photographie and the Centre National de la Photographie for temporary
exhibitions and historical studies of photography and its protagonists.
Nature & Science
If you are interested in life sciences, you must visit the Musée National
d?Histoire Naturelle at all costs. With its spectacular explanation of the
Evolution process, its Tropical Greenhouses and the Microzoo, it is a sight not
to be missed. In the la Cité des Sciences et de l?Industrie, science and
technology feature prominently, and any budding scientists can perform
scientific experiments in the Palais de la Découverte, and the brand new
Exploradome.
History & Literature
You can follow the History of France through the centuries in the Archives
Nationales-Hôtel Soubise, Musée d?Histoire Contemporaine - hotel des Invalides,
Musée Carnavalet & Musée National du Moyen Age; while « bookworms» can
find a piece of heaven-on-earth at the immense Bibliothèque Nationale de France
& at the Centre Pompidou.
Curiosities
If you fancy something a bit different, or you're interested in the more 'minor?
arts, there are many smaller museums which you will find more than useful. The
two galleries of the Musée des Arts et traditions Populaires, presents a
synthesis of popular culture in France, focusing on art from 1000 AD to the
present day. The off-beat Musée de la Curiosité et de la Magie is worth a
look, as is the Musée de Baccarat, featuring a crystal glass-making exhibition.
The Musée de l?Erotisme and its old and modern works from 5 continents is also
interesting. For a more?unusual?look at the past, the Musée Grévin illustrates
French history with over 450 wax figures, from the noble and selfless heroine,
Joan of Arc, to the pomp and majesty of renaissance royalty. Should you ever be
in need of refreshment during your Parisian travels, there is the Musée du Vin,
which explains all aspects of fine wine making, including, of course, some
tasting. Finally, any vampire-lovers should plunge fearlessly into the city
Sewers (les Egouts), (the guided tours cover a network of more than 2000 km) and
into the Catacombs, which were also a refuge during WW II.
CINEMA
There are countless cinemas throughout Paris, featuring not only new releases,
but classic re-runs and avant garde movies, or 'd?essai?. The most notable among
these, for both price and quality, are the 'UGC Les Halles, 'UGC Montparnasse,
the Grand Rex and the Gaumont Opéra Premier. The Cinémathèque Française
shows old classics, as does the charming Studio Galande. For an unforgettable 3D
experience, try the Geode, the Cinaxe (located in the Parc de la Villette) or
the Dome IMAX, which had a truly enormous screen.
THEATER & DANCE
Five out of the six French national theatres are located in Paris. There is the
Comédie Française, which is, without a doubt, the most famous of all. There is
also the Théâtre de la Huchette, which reigns uncontested over the realm of
independent theatre, and can only be missed to your detriment. Au Bec Fin
combines a charming turn of the century atmosphere with live theatre. Dance has
its temple at the Opéra Garnier, while the shrine to lyric music can be found
at Opéra Bastille.
MUSIC
Classical
The three most famous Parisian concert halls are, without a doubt, the Sainte
Chapelle, Orchestre de Paris and, naturally, l?Opéra: here you will be able to
savour the melodies of the best artists and international orchestras.
Jazz-blues
For Jazz and Blues fans, the choices are almost limitless. Apart from countless
smaller venues, check out New Morning, and the Duc des Lombards, two of the most
famous clubs in Paris. The Caveau de la Huchette, a venue famous for its
fashionable ambience, is also good.
Rock
For any true ' rockers?, there are three locations that will not fail to please:
the café-bar Bataclan, the Cigale, and with its three fabulous floors of disco,
and the Locomotive, next to the Moulin Rouge.
House, disco, world music
House music lovers will be right at home at the Rex club, while those with more
uptown tastes, should try the Whats Up bar which features many fashionable DJs.
To enjoy a mix of rock, Latin American, and African music, try the Elysée
Montmartre, New Raï and Java. And of course, any visitor to Paris cannot skip a
visit to the Lapin Agile, which features some of the finest French music in the
entire city.
Curiosities
A wonderful way to experience Paris is on a boat trip on the Seine, on the
Batofar, which in addition to river cruises often organises concerts and shows.
For a 'cooler? look at the Parisian social scene, the Frigo often hosts many
fine concerts, and regularly holds exhibitions for young artists. Transformed 15
years ago, into a social centre, the old deposit refrigerator of the Austerlitz
railway station offers a unique look at French culture.
There are often concerts in Bercy, performed by some of the greatest international artists, as well as at the Stade de France, in La Villette, and the Parc des Princes. Tourist information offices will have all the current event details.
NIGHT CLUBS & SHOWS
Paris, at night, is simply amazing: extravagant and fashionable, the Parisian
scene has no reason to be envious of London or New York. A soirée should begin
at Queen, one of the most 'in? discos at the moment, where top supermodels dance
with movie stars, musicians, and countless other showbiz celebs. Young trendies
meet in the ex strip-club Folies Pigalle, the busiest club in Pigalle. Fashion
in Paris shifts with such lightning speed as to baffle the outsider- what is
'in? one day, is seemingly out the next, and with no apparent reason. The more
fashionable clubs of today (although perhaps not tomorrow!) include: Doobies, (a
classy American bar owned by ex-tennis champion Yannick Noah, featuring house
and hip-hop till 4 am) and Skeud (a gay & straight club with Electronic
sounds & some of the best beers in Paris). The Lizard Lounge is the most
English pub in Paris, while, in contrast, the Montecristo offers a Cuban
atmosphere, with bright lights and lively colours, and fantastic music.
The Cabarets and dinner-shows in Paris are famous the world over; no trip to
Paris can be called complete without a trip to at least one of the many famous
spots. There is the Crazy Horse, which offers the most beautiful naked shows in
the world, and the Carrousel de Paris whose humour, special effects and French
gossip always pleases. The reviews at Folies Bergères, the Lido, and the Moulin
Rouge, all have well deserved reputations for their unsurpassed entertainment
value.
DISTRICTS
Every district, (arrondissement) in Paris has its history, and its beauties. A
few examples:
1.The Louvre area, the real 'heart? of the city, with the Tuileries Gardens, and
the magnificent Royal Palace, the beauty of the Comédie Française, the luxury
of the Ritz and the commercial district of the Halles.
2. The Latin Quarter, named after the students of the Sorbonne who, before the
Revolution, only spoke in Latin. Its still a student district with countless
Greek restaurants and street markets.
3.The Rive Gauche finds its heart in the VI arrondissement, around St Germain
des près where concentrates Paris «hyper chic » and its bars, the le Café de
Flore and les Deux Magots.
4. Bastille, formerly a working-class district, has become a favourite haunt for
the young and trendy, and is now known for its hip tapas bars, night clubs and
galleries.
5.Montmartre is really a little city in itself, looking at Paris from atop its
hill. At the foot of Sacre C?ur, the sacred and profane live side by side (Pigalle
and its peep shows).
GARDENS & PARKS
It is said that Paris is the City with 400 gardens; and this is not difficult to
believe! If you like walking in nature but don't want to stray too far from the
city, Paris offers you an almost infinite choice of parks and gardens where you
can go to relax. Among the most beautiful are the Jardin des Tuileries, just in
front of the Louvre; the Jardin du Luxemburg, the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois
de Vincennes, at the east and west of the City, respectively. Visitors should
also check out the unique Parc de Belleville, the Jardin des Plantes and the
Parc Montsouris, a landscaped garden.
Curiosities
The Promenade and the Cemetery Père Lachaise: the Promenade is a long railway
viaduct now transformed into a pedestrian and cycle track, offering a unique
view of Paris. The Père Lachaise cemetery is a gigantic ' temple?» where such
celebrities as Chopin, Balzac, Modigliani, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand
and Jim Morrisson rest in peace.
SPORTS & THEME PARKS
Sports fans, you have not been forgotten: Paris offers you all that you could
possibly need, and perhaps even more. The heart of French football is the Stade
de France, which recently supplanted the famous Parc des Princes, homeland of
the most beloved Parisian football team the PSG. The most important tennis
competition is held every June at the Stade Roland Garros, and for the horse
lover, Vincenness Hippodrome is sure to delight. Jogging-, and marathon-lovers
all meet in Bois de Boulogne and in the Jardins du Champ de Mars, which are well
known as great running tracks. Theme Parks are numerous and spectacular: For
relief from summer heat, there is the Aquaboulevard, with its long slides and
swimming pools; another popular attraction is Disneyland Paris, the magic world
of fantasy for children and adults alike, where cartoons come alive. And last,
but by no means least, is the Parc Astérix, where you can live out the
adventures of crazy little Gauls against Caesars mighty empire?.
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