Jazz in Paris

A diversity of styles and an artistic groundswell are on the agenda

Offering a warm welcome since the early 20th century, Paris is among the leading international capitals of jazz, both a compulsory stopping point for the great names and the centre of a real artistic groundswell.

Sixty years after he first came to France, the Cité de la Musique devoted a wide-ranging retrospective to one of the great creators of 20th-century music, Miles Davis, entitled “We Want Miles ”. The exhibition allowed to remind the capital’s pivotal role at the centre of a creative outpouring for which jazz provided the sound track. As a reflection of this vitality, the city is offering a very diverse range of events, in a wide variety of venues: from the intimacy of clubs to the festivals being held throughout the season, from local bars open to young musicians to large halls presenting big names on tour. These venues in which jazz is being allowed to express itself will hit just the right note, both in terms of prices and styles.

Culture club

Jazz is available on a nightly basis in clubs. Initiates and novices, experts and amateurs, everyone comes here for one reason only, love of the music. Jazz clubs have an enormous advantage - the proximity they offer to musicians.

Jazz at the bar

It is not always necessary to go to the big halls to hear good music. Paris has a large number of bars and cafés which sometimes clear a corner of tables and chairs to create a small stage where jazz can settle in for the evening.

In concert tonight

We don't hear jazz there everyday but they host it regularly - these halls, with a larger capacity than those of traditional clubs, offer a sometimes more high-end programme, with stars of jazz and evenings of two parts.

Dinner, brunch, lounge: jazz at your table

If you would like to dine to music, enjoy brunch with friends to the sounds of jazz or have a drink sitting comfortably in an armchair... jazz will come to your table served on a plate.