Image taken on 2006-10-14 22:16:40 by MFRingel.
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Paris for some, represents a city of romance, for others, the French capital is a sparkling mix of writers and artists. The city’s people are stylish and flirtatious, its architecture seductive, its restaurants and nightlife devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and its streets are scattered with dreams. It is a fascinating city on all levels – historical, architectural, and cultural. Paris offers plenty of choice and a wide variety of lively festivals. Among these are the free, city-wide Fête de la Musique which is held on 21 June, the Festival du Film de Paris in early April and the biennial Festival d’Automne from September to December contemporary dance event. Free concerts are held within the city’s churches, during the Festival d’Art Sacré in the weeks preceding Christmas. Classical concerts are listed in the monthly Le Monde de la Musique. Live jazz is played nightly at Le Bilboquet, 13 rue St-Benoît, 6th generally from 2200 onwards by local and international high-caliber musicians. Though there are no charges for entry, the drinks served are quite expensive. A young, unsophisticated crowd is drawn to La Flèche d’Or Café, 102 bis rue de Bagnolet, 20th, a converted station turned live music venue. Concerts run from Thursday to Sunday evenings and the music ranges from rock to blues or reggae and satirical French chansons. Chesterfield Café, 124 rue La Boétie, 8th, just off the avenue des Champs-Elysées is popular with expatriates and hosts US rock and blues bands. Major rock concerts take place at the Palais des Congrès, place de la Porte-Maillot, 17th. Performances of classical music can be found at the many opera houses and theatres in Paris, including the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Chatelet Theatre, the Palais Garnier at the Place de l’Opéra, and the Opéra Bastille. Other theatres offering classical works are: La Salle Pleyel, le Théâtre des Champs-Elysées , and Théâtre Musical de Paris. There are other musical venues like the La Cité de la Musique, whose unique seating can be reconfigured to suit any type of musical or dance performance; Regard du Cygne, which hosts innovative performance in dance and movement by young companies, and offers student and senior discounts, a half hour before performance time; Théâtre de la Ville which features theatre, dance, and a broad range of music. With its unparalleled 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 about stroll along the romantic Canal St-Martin or a walk down the world-famous Champs-Elysées avenue? All along the route one will 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? One can relax in the capitals 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. Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.fr/city/fr/paris.html?aid=305255 for more information on Paris hotels.
When darkness falls the City of Light gives credential to its name. The monuments and bridges are illuminated, and the glow of old-fashioned and modern street lamps, the blaze of sidewalk-cafe windows, and the glare of neon signs flood the avenues and boulevards. Parisians start the serious part of their evenings as in other European people stretch, yawn, and announce it’s time for bed. Once the workday is over, most people go to a cafe to meet with friends over a drink and perhaps a meal. Later they may go home or even proceed to a restaurant or the theater; and much later, they may show up at a bar or a dance club. Parisians shows one the many facets of nightlife; where to go for a quiet drink and a tête à tête, and where to go to party. Whether one wants to watch a play or film, see a concert, or dance until the early Metro. Paris is the place to be in and the best place to spend an evening. Pigalle is the seedy sex centre of Paris but home to some good music venues and the Moulin Rouge cabaret, where the cancan is still performed. Montmartre is heaving in summer but the views over Paris from Sacre-Coeur are matchless.Bastille is buzzing with bars and clubs but is a bit too hectic for some. The best area for an evening’s café-hopping is the Marais district, closely followed by the increasingly fashionable Oberkampf, which suits a younger crowd. The hottest Paris nightspots are in the city’s northeastern districts, particularly around Ménilmontant, Oberkampf, and Belleville, while the Bastille clubs and the Marais bars are still going strong. The Grands Boulevards and Pigalle/Montmartre are also bubbly places with plenty of theaters, bars, and concert venues. By contrast, the Rive Gauche is a relatively minor player, dominated by student pubs and jazz bars in the Latin Quarter and a sprinkling of chic hangouts toward St-Germain-des-Prés. The Gucci-and-Vuitton-clad jet set can still be found around the Champs-Élysées and Rue St-Honoré, with prices to match the ritzy atmosphere. In warmer months Parisians flock to the floating clubs and bars, moored along the Seine from Bercy to the Eiffel Tower. Midweek, people are usually home after closing hours. Nightlife in Paris is alive and kicking. The “City of Lights” has never been shy or early to bed. “Bars” aren’t clearly defined. It could mean an establishment which serves beer, one which serves beer and food, wine, wine and food, a cabaret atmosphere or any other descriptions. Bars have taken the place of the café. The variety of music halls, jazz clubs, dance halls, rock music, cabarets, satiric theater, and risqué entertainment is incomparable to other places in the world. Paris is still a city not shy of nudity and there are many gay and lesbian clubs and restaurants mostly found in Le Marais. Bars are usually wine bars and pubs are generally serving beer and hard liquor. Clubs usually have food and entertainment. There are still some literary haunts and many hotels have their own clubs. Cabarets are still the first choice of nightlife entertainment because it is in the cabaret one will find the cancan of Paris. Just about every club and cabaret has a cover charge. Some covers include champagne or a one drink. There is no way one can get bored in Paris. Paris after dark is swinging. Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.fr/city/fr/paris.html?aid=305255 for more information on Paris hotels.
The city of Paris has so much to offer travelers it’s difficult to know where to begin. Although the wide variety of youth hostels in Paris mean that it is possible to experience each section of Paris on its merits and, even if only for a fleeting few days, as a resident.
River Seine
With a supremely efficient and metro service that’s cheap, regular and comfortable there’s little point in walking. However, to see Paris in this way would be to miss out on its unique atmosphere and attention-grabbing sights and for this reason, a walk along the River Seine is the perfect place to start.
Although it’s advisable to take a map anyway, many of the city’s most renowned landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral jut out of the city around them with an unmissable and indescribably grand distinction.
Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is not only home to many of the best youth hostels in Paris, but also offers some of the best and most finance-friendly nightlife on offer in the city. Originally so-called because of its predominance of Latin-speaking students, it has fast become the social and shopping hub of Parisian students and budget travelers.
The street market along the Rue Mouffetard is one such location, which by day offers food and drink stuffs as well the occasional souvenir. By night however, the restaurants and cafes clamor for custom by offering cheap deals on already superbly priced and generally high-quality food that is an attraction of Paris all of its own.
Nightlife
Clubs and bars in Paris are rife with activity in the evenings, with the Latin Quarter and the famed Moulin Rouge offering a wide range of themes to appeal to a variety of tastes.
The nightlife proper tends to take off quite late in the evening, generally to accommodate the late dinner that characterizes Parisian habit. However, be warned that the Metro only runs until 1:30 AM.
Although cabs are readily available, for the budget traveler keen on sampling the nightlife on a regular basis, it is often more advisable to select youth hostels in Paris located close to the clubs and bars. Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for
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Paris
September 5, 2010, 11:46 pm
 Clear 19°Creal feel: 17°C
current pressure: 1016 mb
humidity: 48%
wind speed: 3 m/s ENE
wind gusts: 3 m/s
sunrise: 7:13
sunset: 20:25
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