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Med empire has decided to do for the hotel industry what jeans did for fashion: democratize style. Opened in fall 2008 in the up-and-coming 20e district close to Père Lachaise cemetery, this spanking new hotel is immense by Paris standards, with a fun and funky interior designed by Philippe Starck. Rooms have kitchenettes with microwave, Kiehl’s toiletries, and wireless Internet via flat-screen TVs; many have huge balconies. The spacious restaurant-bar-lounge is open to the public, and guests can rent electric scooters and cars. The popular Fleche d’Or nightclub is across the street and Roissy-CDG airport just a quick drive. Pros: trendy design; easy access to airport; good value. Cons: on the edge of Paris; club across the street can be noisy. | 109 rue deBagnolet | 75020 | 01–43–48–48–48 | www.mamashelter.com | 172 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, kitchen, DVD, Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, laundry service, Internet terminal, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, MC, V

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The Arts | Nightlife

With a heritage that includes the cancan, the Folies-Bergère, the Moulin Rouge, Mistinguett, and Josephine Baker, Paris is one city where no one has ever had to ask, “Is there any place exciting to go to tonight?” Today the city’s nightlife and arts scenes are still filled with pleasures. Hear a chansonnier belt out Piaf, take in a Victor/Victoria show, catch a Molière play at the Comédie Française, or perhaps spot the latest supermodel at Johnny Depp’s Mandala Ray. Detailed entertainment listings in French can be found in the weekly magazines Pariscope (www.pariscope.fr) and L’Officiel des Spectacles, available at newsstands and in bookstores; in the Wednesday entertainment insert “Figaroscope,” in Le Figaro newspaper (scope.lefigaro.fr/guide); and in the weekly “A Nous Paris,” distributed free in the métro. Also look for the Webzine Paris Voice (www.parisvoice.com). The Web site of the Paris Tourist Office (08–92–68–30–00 in English [€0.34min] | www.parisinfo.com) has theater and music listings in English.

The best place to buy tickets is at the venue itself; try to purchase in advance, as many of the more popular performances sell out. Also try your hotel or a ticket agency, such as www.theatreonline.com. FNAC (www.fnacspectacles.com) and Virgin (www.virginmega.fr) superstores sell tickets in-store and online. The FNAC at Les Halles has a large board listing major concerts. | 1–5 rue Pierre Lescot, Forum des Halles, 3rd level down, Beaubourg/Les Halles, 1er | 75001 | 08–92–68–36–22 | Station: Châtelet–Les Halles. Half-price tickets for many same-day theater performances are available at some venues and at the Kiosques Théâtre (Across from 15 pl. de la Madeleine, Opéra/Grands Boulevards | Station: Madeleine | Outside Gare Montparnasse on Pl. Raoul Dautry, Montparnasse, 15e | 75014 | www.kiosquetheatre.com | Station: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe); open Tuesday–Saturday 12:30 PM–8 PM and Sunday 12:30 PM–4 PM. Expect to pay a €3 commission per ticket and to wait in line. Half-price tickets are also available at many private theaters during the first week of each new show, and inexpensive tickets are often available at the last minute.

THE ARTS

EARLY AND CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classical- and world-music concerts are held at the Cité de la Musique (221 av. Jean-Jaurès, Parc de la Villette, 19e | 75019 | 01–44–84–45–00 | www.citedelamusique.fr | Station: Porte de Pantin). The Salle Cortot (78 rue Cardinet, Parc Monceau 17e | 75017 | 01–47–63–80–16 | www.ecolenormalecortot.com | Station: Malesherbes) is an acoustic gem hosting jazz and classical concerts; there are free student recitals at noon and 12:30 on Tuesday and Thursday. IRCAM (1 pl. Igor-Stravinsky, Beaubourg/Les Halles 4e | 75004 | 01–44–78–48–43 | www.ircam.fr | Station: Châtelet Les Halles, Hôtel de Ville) organizes contemporary classical music concerts in its own theater and at the Centre Pompidou next door. The newly renovated Salle Pleyel (252 rue du Faubourg