For Free - Paris - page 151

Theatre
The majority of theatre productions in Paris, including those originally written in other lan-
guages, are - naturally enough - performed in French. Only occasionally do English-speak-
ing troupes play at smaller venues in and around town. Consult Pariscope or L'Officiel des
Spectacles for details.
Buskers in Paris
Paris' gaggle of clowns, mime artists, living statues, acrobats, inline skaters, buskers and
other street entertainers can be loads of fun and cost substantially less than a theatre ticket (a
few coins in the hat is appreciated). Some excellent musicians perform in the long echo-
filled corridors of the metro, a highly prized privilege that artists audition for. Outside, you
can be sure of a good show at the following:
Place Georges Pompidou, 4e The huge square in front of the Centre Pompidou.
Pont St-Louis, 4e The bridge linking Paris' two islands (best enjoyed with a Berthillon ice
cream in hand).
Pont au Double, 4e The pedestrian bridge linking Notre Dame with the Left Bank.
Place Joachim du Bellay, 1er Musicians and fire-eaters near the Fontaine des Innocents.
Parc de la Villette, 19e African drummers at the weekend.
Place du Tertre, Montmartre, 18e Montmartre's original main square is Paris' busiest
busker stage.
Entertainment by Neighbourhood
Eiffel Tower & Western Paris Entertainment options are limited in this refined residential
area.
Champs-Élysées & Grands Boulevards Famous revues and Paris' palatial 1875-built op-
era house take top billing here.
Louvre & Les Halles Swinging jazz clubs, centuries-old theatres and cinemas mix it up
with pumping nightclubs.
Montmartre & Northern Paris Showstopping cabarets, mythologised concert halls and
cutting-edge cultural centres scatter throughout Paris' northern quarters.