Paris live! 10 iconic live music venues

The Olympia opened in 1893 as a music hall, making it the oldest of its kind still in operation today. It was transformed into a cinema in 1929 as the popularity of the venue declined, but returned to its musical roots in 1954 with the opening of the New Olympia. In the 1950s and 60s, The Olympia hosted performances from big names like Georges Brassens (1954), Jacques Brel (1964, 1966), Edith Piaf (1955, 1961), Louis Armstrong (1962), Ella Fitzgerald (1963), The Beatles (1964), The Rolling Stones (1964) and more. The Olympia remains one of Paris' most iconic venues to this day.

La Cigale opened in 1887 in the Pigalle district of Paris. Initially a live music cafe, it became a music hall then La Cigale Cinema for 60 years before turning into the concert hall in 1987 that we know today. It stands out for its innovative and modern program and adjoining restaurant La Cantine de la Cigale. It's not uncommon to see artists performing on the stage of the restaurant! La Cigale has welcomed influential artists and bands like David Bowie, Prince, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Oasis, Muse, and many more at the peak of their careers.

Today, La Cigale is a listed historic monument.

With their exceptional collections, diverse program, iconic architecture, and educational resources, the Philharmonie and Musée de la Musique have become world-class destinations for music lovers in Paris.
The Philarmonie opened in 2015, designed by architect Jean Nouvel with a distinctive aluminum exterior. It has become the home venue for the Orchestre de Paris and other major French ensembles. In 2021, the venue opened an entire 1,000 sq m space specifically dedicated to musical discovery and childrens' education, the Philharmonie for Kids.

The Musée de la Musique houses one of the world's most prestigious collections of over 8,000 musical instruments and artifacts. Highlights include Stradivarius violins, Adolphe Sax's original saxophones, and a myriad of instruments belonging to famous musicians. Live musicians perform daily in the galleries, presenting and demonstrating instruments from the collection to visitors.

Le Caveau de la Huchette was opened in 1948 and is situated in a cellar that allegedly used to serve as a secret meeting place for the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians and Freemasons. It became a jazz club in 1949, hosting legendary musicians like Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Art Blakey, Memphis Slim, Bill Coleman, Harry "Sweets" Edison and more.
Le Caveau de la Huchette is open every day, offering an immersive jazz and swing experience to guests. With its medieval decor, historical cave setting and legacy of hosting jazz greats, Le Caveau de la Huchette offers a unique glimpse into Paris' jazz heritage.

Officially named the Palais Garnier, this is the primary home of the Paris Opera and one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

Its construction began in 1861 under architect Charles Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style, officially opening in 1875. Palais Garnier is the home to the Paris Opera and Ballet companies, presenting classical ballets and operas year-round. The main stage is one of the largest in Europe, measuring 52 meters wide by 62 meters high - large enough to fit the Arc de Triomphe inside! With its opulent architecture, storied history and continued use as an active opera house, the Palais Garnier is considered one of the most prestigious cultural venues around the world.

La Machine du Moulin Rouge is a nightclub and concert venue attached to the world renowned Moulin Rouge. The venue used to house the boiler room for the cabaret next door before later becoming a nightclub.

Formerly known as La Locomotive, the concert venue hosted music icons like The Beatles and The Who in the 1960s and David Bowie in the 1970s. In 2010, the building was bought by the Moulin Rouge, creating a unique space with an artistic mission to discover rising stars from the electronic, techno, hip-hop and house music scenes.

Paris La Défense Arena is a unique and innovative multi-purpose venue located in Nanterre, just outside of Paris. A combination of cutting-edge technology, adaptability, and sheer scale makes Paris La Défense Arena a truly remarkable venue, continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in event spaces. The arena attracts top-tier international music acts like Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, 50 Cent and Céline Dion, spanning diverse genres including pop, rock, hip-hop and electronic music.

The New Morning jazz club was opened in 1981 by “The Grande Dame of Jazz,” Eglal Fahriand. Her aim was to create a rigorously high-standard club for music fans. The venue is a combination of a club and concert hall with a recording studio vibe inside. While focused on jazz, New Morning also hosts funk, electro, and other global artists, and is especially known for hosting Brazilian artists.

Rex Club was opened in 1992 by Laurent Garnier in the basement of the Grand Rex Cinema. Originally called "Le Rêve" (The Dream), it was a chic dance hall in the 1930s with a live orchestra. It transitioned to a disco club in the 1970s before embracing punk rock, new wave, and funk in the 1980s.
Rex Club hosted early shows by Prince, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dead Can Dance and more before becoming an electronic music venue. Considered one of the premier techno and house music clubs in Paris, performing here helped launch the careers of Daft Punk, DJ Deep and other French electronic acts. Want to discover more? Rexorama is a free monthly magazine by Rex Club covering techno, electro, house, drum and bass artists!

Think you know music? Now you can prove it at Deezer's Music Quiz booth at Paris Plages at Bassin de la Villette. Everyone is invited to test their musical knowledge with friends or family with these five quiz playlists: "French Touch," a selection of the best of French electro music; "French Success," a selection of French hits that have conquered the world; "Paris Capitale du Son," music that celebrates the City of Light; "For the Winners," French and international stadium anthems, and "From Paris with Love," a selection of the best love songs of all time.

*Open July 6th to August 31st, Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 6pm*