Paris - Art & Entertainment

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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-Pres 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 romantic Canal St-Martin or a walk down the world-famous Champs-Elysees 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 famous Luxembourg Gardens close to the Sorbonne University. Take full advantage of them because they are free.

Museums

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 Museum 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 extravagant Museum of Eroticism in the centre of the Pigalle district is an original place to visit.

Cinema

The famous film director, Franois Truffaut, 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 the UGC Cine Cite 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.

Music

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 Opera Garnier, and its ultra-modern counterpart, the Opera 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-Pres 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 Elyse 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 touche. The Batofar, a red boat moored on the Seine, rides this wave and puts on excellent evenings dedicated to digital music.

Nightlife

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 the Bar du Marche 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.

Family Entertainment

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 - Ast rix park, and Thoiry wildlife park don't really stand a chance.







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Garnier Opera


The Phantom's lair...
 8 Rue Scribe
Paris 75009
+ 33 (0)1 7229 3535 / + 33 (0)1 4001 8054
http://www.opera-de-paris.fr
Garnier Opera
Montmartre (18th Arrond.)
Paris
Montmartre (18th Arrond.)
The Latin Quarter (5th Arrond.)
Paris
The Latin Quarter (5th Arrond.)
St-Germain-des-Près (6th Arr.)
Paris
St-Germain-des-Près (6th Arr.)
The Marais (3rd Arrond.)
Paris
The Marais (3rd Arrond.)
Buttes-Chaumont Park


A green paradise
 Rue Botzaris
Paris 75019
Buttes-Chaumont Park
Sorbonne


The famous university
 47 Rue des Écoles
Paris 75005
+33 1 4046 2211
http://www.sorbonne.fr
Sorbonne
Place du Tertre


An artist's square
 Place du Tertre
Paris 75018
Place du Tertre
Moulin Rouge


Legendary magic
 82 Boulevard de Clichy
Montmarte
Paris 75018
+33 1 5309 8282
http://www.moulin-rouge.com/
Moulin Rouge
Crazy Horse


The art of the nude
 12 Avenue George V
Paris 75008
+33 1 47 23 93 91
http://www.lecrazyhorseparis.com
Crazy Horse
Thoiry Zoological Park


Safari park near Paris
 Route de Versailles
Paris 78770
+33 1 3487 5225
http://www.thoiry.net/
Thoiry Zoological Park
Café Charbon


Beautiful 1900s decor
 109 Rue Oberkampf
Paris 75011
+33 1 4357 5740
http://www.nouveaucasino.net/
Café Charbon
Bains


Stars' favourite nightspot
 7 Rue du Bourg-l'Abbé
Paris 75003
+33 1 4887 0180
Bains
Eiffel Tower


The symbol of Paris
 Champ de Mars
Paris 75007
+33 1 4411 2323
http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/
Eiffel Tower
Barfly


International cuisine in a soothing ambience
 49-51 Avenue George V
Paris 75008
+33 1 5367 8460
Barfly
Arc de Triomphe


The magic roundabout
 Place Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Paris 75008
+33 1 5537 7377
Arc de Triomphe
Cabaret


Wait and watch!
 2 Place du Palais Royal
Paris 75001
+33 (0)1 5862 5625
http://www.cabaret.fr
Cabaret
Disneyland Paris


Happily ever after!!
 Parc de Loisir Disneyland Paris
Paris
http://www.disneylandparis.com
Disneyland Paris
Bastille Opera


Ballet and opera performances
 120 Place de la Bastille
Paris 75012
+33 1 4343 9696
http://www.opera-de-paris.fr
Bastille Opera
Beaubourg Pompidou Center


Avant-garde cultural centre
 Place Georges Pompidou
Paris 75004
+33 (0)1 4478 1233
http://www.centrepompidou.fr/
Beaubourg Pompidou Center
Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris


France's greatest cathedral
 6 Place du Parvis-de-Notre-Dame
(Quai aux Fleurs)
Paris 75004
+33 1 4234 5610
Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris
Elysée Montmartre


Popular pop-rock venue
 72 Boulevard de Rochechouart
Paris 75018
+33 (0)1 4492 4547 / +33 (0)1 5507 0605
http://www.elyseemontmartre.com
Elysée Montmartre
Fashion and Textile Museum


18th-century to present-day fashion
 107 Rue de Rivoli
Paris 75001
+33 1 44 55 57 50
http://www.ucad.fr/
Fashion and Textile Museum
Erotic Museum


Sensuality through the ages
 72 Boulevard de Clichy
Paris 75018
+33 1 42 58 28 73
Erotic Museum
Parc Astérix


...and Obelix, of course!
 Parx Astérix
(between exits 7n and 8n)
Paris 60128
+33 (0)8 2630 1040
http://www.parcasterix.fr
Parc Astérix
Avenue des Champs-Elysées


The Most Beautiful Avenue In the World!
 Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Paris 75008
http://www.champselysees.org/
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Luxembourg Gardens


One of Paris' favourite parks
 Boulevard Saint-Michel
Paris 75006
+33 1 42 34 20 00
Luxembourg Gardens
Barrio Latino


Latin fever
 46-48 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
Paris 75011
+33 1 5578 8475
Barrio Latino
Caveau de la Huchette


For young jazz lovers
 5 Rue de la Huchette
Paris 75005
+33 (0)1 4326 6505
http://www.caveaudelahuchette.fr
Caveau de la Huchette
Paris
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Paris - Neighborhood Guide
Paris - Dining & Drinking
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