Churches, Salons, Radio, Museums for Music

Complete listing of Classical Music concerts at Churches and Monuments in Paris AMP Concerts for Madeleine, Saint Eustache, Saint Julien le Pauvre, Saint Ephrem. Church locations

List of classic concerts
List of jazz and blues concerts

All Paris concerts, including dates, times, free (entrée libre) usually a donation is requested; or admission charge.

On concert hall not listed is the Espace Georges Bernanos for lunch time concerts (4, rue du Havre – 75009 Paris Metro: Havre Caumartin or St-Lazare)

The World of Young, Talented Musicians At The Hotel de Soubise
Every year the musical season at the Hôtel de Soubise begins in September and runs through to June. The “Jeunes Talents” organize concerts at the Centre Historique des Archives Nationales carrying on the prestigious tradition of the “Concerts des Amateurs” that originated in the 18th century.

Jeunes Talents
Pull up their “Agenda Saison” to find out what is on at Hotel Soubise Archives National (60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris) and the date of the free Wednesday monthly concert. Their Saturday concerts are held at 6 p.m. You can buy tickets either at the door or reserve on line. Children under 12 are free for all of the concerts.

Laurent Bureau created Jeunes Talents 14 years ago, not knowing how the operation would evolve. The organization had no means to survive: no sponsor, no money, no piano, no fixed location, but he and the group did have the will and the conviction to help promote young musicians give their first concerts and introduce classical music to a larger public.

Virtual visit of the Hotel Soubise (Office of the Ministry of French Culture)
60 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris Metro: Hôtel de Ville or Rambuteau. Story of Hôtel Soubise and Hôtel Rohan (Use Google Translate).

Free Concerts in association with Jeunes Talents
On the “Agenda Saison” page of the Jeunes Talents association is a list of free lunch time concerts. You may have to deal with first-come, first serve space for the locals, but it is worth the try. Otherwise, attend, definitely, one of the Saturday evening concerts at Hotel Soubise.

How to find other jeunes talents concert
In the right-hand column look for the words “Concerts à entrée libre” (Free concerts). The list includes date, time, location, type of recital, instrument, and music selection.
SALLE ROSSINI (Mairie du 9ème arr.)
6 rue Drouot 75009 Paris
Metro: Richelieu-Drouot (Line 9)
One Thursday a month at 12:30, the 9th arrondissement City Hall/Mayor’s office, in association with the Jeunes Talent Association presents a free concert. Follow the Jeunes Talent link for the most recent season concert dates.  Scroll down to “Salle Rossini”

Les Archets de Paris  at the Sainte-Chapelle is a Euromusic Production — “pour que la passion jamais ne repose” — literally, in order that the passion never stops.

Their Web site – Euromusic (in French) is easy to read and lists church locations, dates and concert programs. Open the “Concerts” icon in the bottom left-hand corner (pdf Acrobat Reader document) for their schedule. “Relache” means they are on vacation.

You can buy tickets at Euro Music Productions the day before or day of the concert between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You can buy tickets in advance at FNAC, Virgin or Galeries Lafayette

To make a reservation directly, click on the word “ICI” in the Reservation icon.
If you buy your tickets at the door, credit cards are not accepted.

Classic music concerts and operas in France  – Information about locations, links, dates, reservation possibilities, etc.

Chamber music at le Petit Palais  Follow their calendar for concert information. The phrase “Aucune programmation en ce moment …” means nothing programmed at this time. This is the Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris.

For more information
Petit Palais
Avenue Winston-Churchill 75008
Telephone: 01 5 43 40 00.

Radio France concerts  (Use Google Translate) Free concerts
Listen to Radio France concerts “(Re) Ecouter sur France Musique” under the section “allure au concert”

Paris has more than its fair share of free concerts and cheap gigs. Here are a few tips to help you choose wisely and well.
Radio station concerts are sought after as they often feature international stars and reputed orchestras, so make
sure you arrive early. France Musique does classical, jazz, contemporary and traditional music and you can book
your seat in advance on the Radio France website or at the FNAC stores (with a service charge).

Radio France’s “Déclic” concerts, FIP (Radio France) concerts, “Le Pont des artistes” on France Inter, RFI’s “La Bande passante” and Radio Nova’s “Les Nuits zébrées” are all good ways to listen to excellent music without breaking the bank.
The Cité internationale des arts across from the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of the Marais was set up to welcome
 professional musicians from abroad wanting to pursue their work in France. The auditorium and recording studios
at the Centre host classical music, jazz and electronic music concerts two to four times a month.

Radio France 
116 avenue du Président-Kennedy Paris 16th Telephone: 01 56 40 15 16
FNAC

Jazz concerts in Paris

Many jazz clubs have free admission. Pick up a copy of “l’officiel des spectacles” for 35 euro cents or “Pariscope” for 40 euro cents.
Inside under the “Concerts” section, you will see subdivisions, including Jazz. Look for the phrase “Ent. libre” which means free admission.

Reader’s Question:
We will travel to Paris soon, with three teens. We want to visit Cafe’ Universel  , 267 rue Saint Jacques, in the 5th, since they have jazz. Have you been here? Whad u think?
Are the teens allowed with their parents?
Is there a minimum age, like here in Los Angeles, for young people to enter a club?
Thank you, CK.

Response:
I called and there is no minimum age to enter and listen to the music.
On the weekend it is best to be there by 9 p.m. and during the week, 9:15 p.m.
When you come to Paris pick up a magazine called l’officiel des spectacles. It costs 35 euro cents and will list numerous jazz clubs.
If you would like free admission, look for the words “Ent. libre”.

Free church concerts

Churches provide a picturesque and spiritual setting – with excellent acoustics – for a number of free concerts (you may be asked to make a small contribution after the concert).

Some of the best-known are the very popular organ concerts at the Saint-Eustache and the Notre-Dame cathedral, the concerts at the Eglise Saint-Merry, the Val-de-Grâce church (organ and piano), the chapel at the École militaire (classical, jazz and organ music), the “musical Sundays” at the Madeleine church, the organ and piano concerts at the Eglise des Billettes and the very varied program at the Swedish church.

l’Officiel des Spectacles   (read the translation of the magazine) or Pariscope provide dates, times and prices of concerts.  l’Officiel has a larger concert listing.

L’Eglise des Billettes  (4 p.m.) , 24 rue des Archives (4th), Metro: Hôtel de Ville (originally a Catholic church, it is now Lutheran; was built in 1294)

Chapelle Saint-Bernard (8:30 p.m.) , 34 place Raoul Dautry (15th), Metro: Montparnasse
Scroll down to find concert information toward the bottom of the page on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
The last Wednesday of the month is a debate after watching a film

Eglise de la Madeleine   place and Metro Madeleine (8th) Check their site for concert dates and times.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris -English- (10 a.m. Gregorian mass; 11:30 a.m. International Mass with invited choirs; 4:30 p.m. organ concert)
Tours  Check this page for the agenda of hours. On the next page, look for the words “Visite en anglais offerte par la cathédrale”  (Cathedral visit in English)
Audio guides are available.
Tower and Crypt
Île de la Cité 6 place du Parvis, Paris 4th
Telephone: 33 (0)144 41 49 99

Paroisse Saint-Eustache   rue du Jour (1st) Metro: Les Halles (this is convenient if you come in on the RER B from the airport Charles de Gaulle and want to go to a concert or to Mass).
 Concerts Sundays and public holidays, 5.30 p.m.- 6 p.m.
2 impasse Saint-Eustache, Paris 1st
Telephone: 33 (0)1 42 36 31 05

On the Saint-Eustache homepage, you will see a scrolling “blog”  with dates and times of concerts.
The organ concert takes place every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. (Auditions d’orgue)

First Saturday of month


Saint-Gervais – this is their agenda page. Scroll down for “Paris” and follow links for events such as thee organ (orgue) concerts at 4 p.m. (16h00) the first Saturday of each month. Guided visits are in French (Visite de l’église Saint-Gervais) at 12:30 p.m. after Mass

The Saint-Gervais organ is a rare example from the 1600s.
“During nearly two centuries, members of the Couperin family have succeeded one another continuously at Saint Gervais’ organ.”
Place Saint-Gervais (4th) Metro: Hôtel de Ville.

Choir: every day, except Monday and Sunday, between 6 and 6:30 p.m. in preparation for the mass.

The church closes for vacation from the third week in August until September 1.
These events are free: no booking required. They usually start at about 6.30 p.m.

Eglise Saint-Merry 76 rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th
Telephone: 33 (0)1 42 71 40 75

Église du Val-de-Grâce  Look under the heading “La musique au Val-de-Grâce”
1 place Alphonse-Laveran 75005
Organ and piano concerts, first Saturday of the month at 7p.m.
13 place Joffre 75007

Eglise Suédoise (Swedish) (French)
rue Médéric 75017
Telephone: 33 (0)1 44 29 70 00
Schedule of concerts

Refer to my Web site Entertainment pages for additional information.

Musée d’Orsay – Lunchtime concerts. The price of the ticket includes museum admission. The museum’s music page has a list of events that include special concerts, evening concerts, concert by Radio France, special evening events, cinema and lectures.

Find information about Paris concerts
I highly recommend either purchasing l’Officiel des spectacles or Pariscope when you land in Paris. I prefer l’Officiel because it is easier to follow and has more concert information than Pariscope. Visit the Officiel Web site for on line, up-to-date information. Go to either of their concert pages for the week’s listings. A new edition is published every Wednesday and is current until the following Tuesday night.

Churches are great venues for concerts. Look in the l’Officiel concert section for addresses and what’s on.

Wherever your hotel is located, there is probably a church around the corner. Look at the bulletin boards, usually outside, for concert information. Many times, they are free.

Notre-Dame de Paris
Check out the current Concert Season.

The Bach season of Les Cantates October to June, first Sunday each month, 5:30 p.m. Lasts about one hour. Donation (usually five euros per person or more or nothing).

Temple du Foyer de l’Ame
7 bis rue du Pasteur Wagner 75011
Métro: Bastille or Bréguet-Sabin