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Théâtre Musical de Paris (Pl. du Châtelet, Beaubourg/Les Halles, 1er | 75001 | 01–40–28–28–40 | www.chatelet-theatre.com | Station: Châtelet), better known as the Théâtre du Châtelet, puts on some of the finest opera productions in the city, and regularly attracts international divas like Cecilia Bartoli and Anne-Sofie von Otter. It also plays host to classical concerts, dance performances, and the occasional play.

THEATER

A number of theaters line the Grands Boulevards between Opéra and République, but there’s no Paris equivalent of Broadway or the West End. Shows are mostly in French. English-language theater groups playing in venues throughout Paris include the International Players (www.internationalplayers.info). Broadway-scale singing-and-dancing musicals are generally staged at either the Palais des Sports or the Palais des Congrès.

Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (37 bis, bd. de la Chapelle, Stalingrad/La Chapelle, 10e | 75010 | 01–46–07–34–50 | Station: La Chapelle) is the wonderfully atmospheric theater that is home to English director Peter Brook. The Comédie-Française (Salle Richelieu, 2 rue de Richelieu, 1er | 75001 | 08–25–10–16–80 | Station: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre | Studio Théâtre, Galerie du Carrousel du Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli, Louvre/Tuileries, 1er | 75001 | 01–44–58–98–54 | Station: Palais-Royal | Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, 21 rue Vieux Colombier, St-Germain-des-Prés, 6e | 75006 | 01–44–39–87–00 | Station: St-Sulpice) dates from 1680 and is the most hallowed institution in French theater. It specializes in splendid classical French plays by the likes of Racine and Molière. Reserve in advance or line up an hour before showtime for cancellations. The legendary 19th-century Odéon Théâtre de l’Europe (Pl. de l’Odéon, St-Germain-des-Prés, 6e | 75006 | 01–44–85–40–00 | Station: Odéon), once home to the Comédie Française, has today made pan-European theater its primary focus. Théâtre National de Chaillot (1 pl. du Trocadéro, Trocadéro/Tour Eiffel, 16e | 75016 | 01–53–65–30–00 | Station: Trocadéro) has two theaters dedicated to drama and dance. Since 2003 it has hosted the groundbreaking duo of Deborah Warner (director) and Fiona Shaw (actress) for several excellent English-language productions. Théâtre du Palais-Royal (38 rue Montpensier, Louvre/Tuileries, 1er | 75001 | 01–42–97–40–00 | Station: Palais-Royal) is a sumptuous 750-seat Italian theater bedecked in gold and purple.

For children, one “theatrical” experience can be a delight—the Marionnettes du Jardin du Luxembourg (St-Germain-des-Prés | 75006 | 01–43–26–46–47 | Station: Vavin) stages the most traditional performances (in French) on most Wednesdays and weekends, including Pinocchio and The Three Little Pigs. Look for the puppet shows in Paris’s other larger parks. Entrance is €3–€4.50.

CIRCUS

Italian Antonio Franconi helped launch the first Cirque Olympique, considered the start of the modern circus, in Paris in 1783—and the French have been hooked ever since. Circus acts are cherished as high art in Paris—for all ages.

For Cirque de Paris (115 bd. Charles-de-Gaulle, | Villeneuve-la-Garenne | 92390 | 92390 | 01–47–99–40–40 | Station: Porte de Clignancourt, then Bus 137) on weekends, reserve ahead for a peek behind the scenes in the morning, lunch with the artists, and a performance in the afternoon. Reservations essential. Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione (110 rue Amelot, 11e, République | 75011 | 75011 | 01–47–00–28–81 | www.cirquedhiver.com | Station: Filles du Calvaire) brings together two famous circus institutions: the beautiful Cirque d’Hiver hall, and the Bouglione troupe, known for its rousing spectacle of acrobats, jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists, tigers, and housecats that leap through rings of fire.

Parc de la Villette (211 av. Jean-Jaurès, LaVillette | 75019 | 75019 | 01–40–03–75–75 | Station: Porte de Pantin) features an Espace Chapiteaux, a high-tech circus tent area that focuses on contemporary performance art—not to be missed by “new circus” fans.

NIGHTLIFE

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