Image by Pierre BISMUTH

As normal parents whose children are on vacation at their Grandparents’, we are rushing to the theater or cinema, as soon as we are alone in Paris.

So last august, as we had family on visit, we went out and see a show at the point virgule, a very tiny theater of 110 seats located in the gay district of Paris, just nearby the City Hall.

In this theater, you can see future comic stars of the french scene, like Walter we saw taht night for his first show, and who is now on Europe 1, a famous french radio.

You have between 4 and 5 artists by night and the shows lasts around 1 hour. You can of course check the program ont he internet : all you have to do is to type www.lepointvirgule.com.

By the way, after the spectacle, do not hesitate to go and eat at Sancho (see critic on that blog)

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Le Point Virgule | Theaters | Show € 20
7, rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie | Marais/Bastille | +33142786703
From 17:30 or 19:00 daily (see website)

Image by Tamara Mesarić

Théâtre National de la Colline is an important Parisian theatre. It is situated in the 20th arrondissement, founded in 1951 (today’s building opened in 1983) to decentralise theatre life and to create one relevant place of the theatre creation of the plays from the end of the 19th century till our days.

It is a National theatre meaning that it is funded by the state/ministry of culture (with only 4 other theatres in the country), it’s openly leftist with a diverse and well thought-out repertoire. At the moment the shows on the repertoire are: “Salle d’attente” written by Lars Norén, directed by Krystian Lupa in the main theatre and in the small theatre Déjà là written by Arnaud Michniak and directed by Aurélia Guillet.

This literature based theatre that doesn’t neglect quality acting, so if you don’t understand French it’s still worth visiting. Though you shouldn’t expect experimental theatre here. From the season 2009/10 there are some performances with English subtitles.

The present general director Stéphane Braunschweig defined his program as the one which will promote contemporary plays and openness to its public. There are often lectures, public reunions, thematic workshops and discussions with artists.

Except interesting theatrical program, Theatre National de la Colline is an architecturally powerful site, appearing around the corner in a small street where you wouldn’t expect big modernistic theatre hall.

If you are younger than 30 years or a student, the ticket price of 13 Euro is also inviting (in Parisian terms).

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Théâtre National de la Colline | Theaters | Ticket € 27.00
15 rue Malte Brun | Belleville/Nation | +33144625252
Box office 11:00 – 18:30 & 19:30 – 21:00

Image by Pierre Bismuth

Le Théâtre du Rond-Point is a public theater which lies in the middle of the Eight district, at the angle of the Avenue du Président Roosevelt and avenue des Champs-Elysées. And as it is a public theater, the prices of the seats are very cheap compared to the private theaters like the Théâtre Marigny.

In january, the theater presents the work of t$a very famous french humorist : Guy Bedos, whose is a fervent supporter of the socialist party in France. This guy invented the press review on stage, which is always a very funny exercise.

I saw him at l’Olympia 10 years ago and it was quite an experience. Of couse, it is in French, but if you are interested in the politics in France, you will not be disappointed.

In general, this theater presents a really original programmation, which tends to honor the french or foreign authors specialized in “nonsense” or absurd.

I hope you’ll enjoy assisting at a representation. 

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Theatre du Rond Point | Theaters | Entrance from € 16
2bis avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt | Quartiers Chics | +33144959821
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00

Image by Frédéric Moussaïan

Whether to have a rest on one of the reclining chairs or wandering along the old-fashioned stores of its arcades, the gardens of the Palais-Royal (see the Palais-Royal gardens article) is one of the best chilling place in Paris.

But the immediate neighbourhood of the garden should not be neglected: the rectangle formed by Rues Montpensier, Beaujolais, Valois, and Place du Palais-Royal and Place Colette contains notable curiosities.

Starting at Place Colette, with the famous theatre La Comédie Française, enjoy the Kiosque des Noctambules, the most original métro station entrance, made in 2000 by Jean-Michel Othoniel to celebrate the centenary of Paris’s underground.

In low-trafficked Rue de Montpensier, you’ll find elegant and trendy restaurants or bars, most of which are located in cellars below streetlevel. Several short but elegant covered arcades, like Potier or Beaujolais connect this island of quietness to the busier Rue de Richelieu. But the most interesting spot, just at the angle of Montpensier and Beaujolais streets, is without a doubt the beautiful Théâtre du Palais-Royal, with its outdoor stairs.

Rue de Beaujolais, named after a French wine region near Lyon, is full of small wine restaurants, and Le Grand Véfour (already inside the ceint of Palais-Royal buildings) is one of the smartest and most famous.

Rue de Valois has less interesting things, except the original and bourgeoise Place de Valois, and the interesting view on the office of the Minister of Culture.

Back to Place du Palais-Royal, the busiest square around, with its skaters and rollers’ addicts…

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Around Palais-Royal | Art & culture, Relaxing, Theaters, Restaurants
Place Colette | Louvre/Les Halles
24 hours daily