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Entertainment
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In Paris, lively areas are developing: if Bastille still buzzes, the Oberkampf or Marais quarters are more trendy today. If you prefer "quieter" quarters, a stroll around the hill at Montmartre or a rest at one of the famous cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (le Flore, les Deux-Magots) is still worth a detour!
Read more: Unique locations and undiscovered eating spots |
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GuidesShows (cinema, concerts, theater) or other activities (festivals, flea markets, exhibitions) are listed in specialist guides on sale at newspaper kiosks or in the local press, especially in the weekend editions. Tourist Offices also have available lists of events in the town and surrounding area. www.tourisme.fr
In Paris you can find guides for events at newspaper kiosks - Pariscope, L'Officiel des Spectacles, etc. They list all movie schedules, museums, exhibitions, and all types of shows.
Tickets
For the theater, there are two kiosks offering day-of tickets at reduced rates: on the plaza of the Montparnasse train station and at the Place de la Madeleine.
You can also buy your tickets in FNAC and Virgin sales outlets, or directly from the theater or concert hall itself.
Museums and Monuments
France's towns and regions have all sorts of museums and monuments for visitors. Museum opening times vary, but please note that municipal museums are closed on Mondays, and national museums are closed on Tuesdays (except the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, which is closed on Mondays). Usually, they are open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Some large museums have late-night openings on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Learn more about places to visit from the Regional Tourism Council or Tourist Office. You can also consult the Web site of the center for national monuments to find out about 200 monuments of French heritage: www.monum.fr. Or visit www.rmn.fr to find out about the 33 national museums across France.
In Paris, the Paris Museum Pass will help you gain entry to a number of sites museums and monuments. Valid for 2, 4, or 6 days, it gives you free access, direct and unlimited, to 60 museums and monuments in Paris and Ile-de-France. Cards are available at the Paris Tourist Office, metro stations, and at the monument and museum sites themselves.
Rates:
2 days: 32€
4 days: 48€
6 days: 64€
 CinemaIn large towns (and in the majority of others), you will find film centers showing big international films dubbed in French, or the original versions in English with subtitles. Art et Essai cinemas show rarer and/or older films. You can often buy your tickets in advance so as to avoid long lines (prices start at 6€). www.allocine.com (French language only) Concerts All large towns have one or more concert halls where French and international artists play. Classical music concerts often take place in churches and specialized halls. TheaterIn Paris and in the regions, theaters are numerous and offer a wide variety of shows (from great classics to light comedy, from one-man shows to cabaret). To avoid disappointment, it is best to book in advance!
For last-minute bookings you can try to find your concert or show in the "concerts" section of www.lastminute.com.
Bars
Even the smallest village has its church bell tower. In the same way, each town has its bar (and often more than one); they are one of the French institutions! Bars often open very early (you can have your breakfast there) and some can close at 2:00 a.m. In the regions, they are very popular and relaxed places where the locals meet friends. In the smallest towns, they also occasionally sell bread or newspapers, or can be the local gas station.
In Paris, lively areas are developing: if Bastille still buzzes, the Oberkampf or Marais quarters are more trendy today. If you prefer "quieter" quarters, a stroll around the hill at Montmartre or a rest at one of the famous cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (le Flore, les Deux-Magots) is still worth a detour!
Nightclubs
They are everywhere, even in the most remote corners of France. Their style and music vary a lot from one place to another so find out before you go! Some things are the same: minors under 18 years of age are not allowed. |
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