Concerts in Paris

There’s a wealth of music news! As spring sets in, major venues such as the Accor Arena, Paris La Défense Arena and the Zénith de Paris are selling out almost every night with international pop and hip-hop tours. For a more intimate atmosphere, head to the Olympia or the Salle Pleyel, which are currently hosting the best of French chanson and indie rock. If you prefer contemporary music and new discoveries, the line-up at the Gaîté Lyrique or the Centquatre-Paris is a safe bet.

The Parisian calendar promises exceptional moments, hosted by venues capable of accommodating the world’s most monumental productions.
Fans of spectacular shows naturally turn to Paris La Défense Arena. As Europe’s largest indoor venue, it is the preferred stop for international tours that rely on high-tech staging and exceptional capacity. It is here that the most immersive experiences take place, whether featuring rock legends or global pop icons.
Other iconic venues round out this prestigious line-up:

• The Stade de France, the venue for ‘stadium’ concerts during the summer season, hosting massive open-air gatherings.
• The Accor Arena, which remains the go-to venue for the big names in hip-hop, pop and electronic music.
• The Zénith de Paris, renowned for its acoustics and its intimate setting, is ideal for rock bands and popular tours.
  Each season, these venues come alive with performances by the biggest stars, making Paris the global hub for contemporary music.

Beyond one-off concerts, don’t miss the major resident productions. The Théâtre Mogador continues to thrill audiences with its Broadway musicals adapted into French, whilst the Théâtre du Lido offers a new breed of musical theatre. For a unique acoustic experience, recitals at the Philharmonie de Paris or candlelit concerts in historic churches (such as the Église Saint-Eustache or the Sainte-Chapelle) are the must-sees of the moment.

As soon as the warm weather returns, music takes over the parks. Recurring festivals such as We Love Green in the Bois de Vincennes or Solidays at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse are fixtures of the Parisian summer. For a more rock-oriented vibe, the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud hosts Rock en Seine every year. Finally, don’t forget the Fête de la Musique on 21 June, when every street corner, from the Marais to Montmartre, turns into an open-air stage.

Paris is a global jazz hotspot. For a total immersion, head to the Les Halles district and its legendary clubs on Rue des Lombards (Le Duc des Lombards, Le Sunset/Sunside). On the Left Bank, the Caveau de la Huchette remains the temple of swing. Every year, the Jazz Festival in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Jazz à la Villette celebrate this musical genre by inviting the greatest virtuosos to prestigious venues such as the Grande Halle de la Villette.