Entertainment in 9th Arrondissement (Paris)

Folies-Bergère

This place is a Parisian legend. The Folies-Bergère's traditional formula -a sweetly titillating show accompanied by high-end food and drink, all in an atmosphere of good clean fun- has changed since the cabaret's recent reopening. These days the show is often a Broadway-style musical or a variety show, always with at least one big star on in the marquee. The place has kept its charm despite the change.

Divan du Monde

The Pigalle district has always been home to Paris' concert halls. Next to Le Divan du Monde are various other shrines to music such as La Cigale, or L'Élysée Montmartre-so many venues that have hosted the most famous names in entertainment. Le Divan du Monde itself is actually quite small but very inviting, with eclectic programming with hallmark originality and novelty. Theme nights (bossa nova, hip-hop) are the regular attraction or up-and-coming artists, with a strong tendency towards world music. Worth a look for those who like to move to the rhythm a little off the beaten track.

Théâtre Mogador

From Beckett to Corneille, theater of extremely high quality is presented to a sophisticated public here at the Mogador, in a district better known for shopping than for theater (just next door are the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores). An audience of connoisseurs comes here to find an informal but serious ambience. An important theater on the Parisian scene for many years now, which was inaugurated in 1919.

Opéra Comique

Despite a recent tendency towards experimental music, the Opéra Comique, also called Popular Musical Theater, still hosts quite a few of the comic (and other) operas that are its namesake. This comfortable gilded-age theater, the smallest of the major Parisian opera venues, also presents symphonic concerts regularly. The venue is done up in nice Italian style décor typical of the end of the 19th Century with nice moldings and a lovely fresco on the ceiling.

Casino de Paris

The Casino de Paris, not a casino at all but a grand old theater hidden in a little street near the St-Lazare train station, features a varied slate of performances including top-notch musicals, comedians, jazz and rock artists. The theater has recently instituted simultaneous interpretation for the deaf and hearing-impaired. The décor is beautiful and the place is well-known for the quality of its concerts and shows.

Salle Pleyel

The home of the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris is a beautiful old 19th-century theater, with a golden and red décor, located in the chic 8th arrondissement (where many subscribers surely reside). The Pleyel also features other classical ensembles and - very rarely - high quality jazz bands. Sometimes the place is used by Radio-France to record concerts.

Carrousel de Paris

One of the few Parisian cabarets that is also, in the wee hours after the show, a discothèque (dancing 'til dawn!), the Carrousel de Paris features, but of course, the Can-Can and other risqué numbers, but also magic tricks, burlesque, drag, impersonators, comics and more.

Le Grand Rex

Still a time machine despite numerous renovations, the Grand Rex (1936) is the last of the grand old moviehouses in Paris. On the program - big mass-market productions presented on a big, big screen in a big, big theater. Étoiles du Rex (Stars of the Rex) guided tours are a must for any self-respecting cinephile.

Olympia Hall

This concert hall is definitely on par with the world's best venues like Carnegie Hall or Madison Square Garden, despite the fact that the hall seats only 2000 people. Bruno Coquatrix started this hall in 1954. After his death in 1979, his wife and daughter managed the place. Now it has passed hands again. World famous musicians like the Beatles, Liza Minelli and Céline Dion, to name a few, have performed at this prestigious venue.

Théâtre de l'Œuvre

This turn of the century theater in Paris' 9th was originally constructed in 1892 as a venue dedicated to literary and visual symbolism. Since then it has welcomed a wide variety of authors including Ibsen, Strindberg, and Oscar Wilde. It was recently renovated and now features a contemporary program that highlights up and coming acts. The hall seats 650 people.

Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique

The Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique is a specialized dramatic arts school located in Paris' 9th arrondissement. It provides two halls primarily used for student productions, although it loans the space from time to time. The théâtre is a grand multi-tiered structure holding 429 guests and decorated with pillars and a subtle Mediterranean color palate, while the salle Louis Jouvet is outfitted in warm wood tones and has seating for 120 people.

Théâtre des Nouveautés

Théâtre des Nouveautés, situated in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, is the fourth theater to bear its name since 1827. Its present iteration was established in 1921 by Adolphe Tiers, and features a diverse program including comedy, operettas, and theatrical productions. Texts brought to life include those written by Tristan Bernard, Henri Duvernois and Jacques Deval. The theater has a capacity for 580 people.