Church concerts, opera and ballet in Paris
Paris is paradise for people like me who love classical music (to be honest, Paris is paradise, period, but that’s a subject for another article).
To me, nothing is more enjoyable than sitting in an old church and listening to organ music, or to a chamber concert held there. Imagine your gaze drifting between the stained glass and the statues, while the sights you see and the sounds you hear merge into a harmonious whole greater than the sum of its parts.
And we haven’t even mentioned the Paris Opera, where some of the greatest singers and dancers of our time have performed and still perform. And what about the magnificent concert halls and the symphony orchestras? There, too, you’ll find wonderful music at a wide range of prices.
In short, if you love music, you can’t pass up the pleasure of hearing at least one concert in Paris. In this article I’ve gathered information on churches, opera houses and concert halls where, almost every day, there are musical events you simply shouldn’t miss.
An evening concert is just one of the options for a night in Paris: I’ve gathered the other ideas, from an evening cruise on the Seine to cabarets and night views, on a separate page.
Not all concerts are created equal: a little tip from me
Before we dive in, let me tell you a little secret. There are “touristy” concerts (like The Four Seasons at Sainte-Chapelle) that are wonderful because of the setting, and there are concerts for connoisseurs in lesser-known halls but with superb performances.
My recommendation? Start by checking the full schedule at the link below, choose what excites you, and then come back to read about the venue itself.
Concerts in Paris churches
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Sainte-Chapelle
One of the most beautiful churches in Paris (some say in the world), thanks to its spectacular stained glass. The acoustics here are wonderful for vocal and instrumental concerts.
True, the program is usually touristy, but the combination of the music and the beauty of the place is simply one of a kind.
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La Madeleine
A Greek-style temple built in honor of Napoleon’s army, with a famous organ played by great composers such as Saint-Saëns and Fauré.
Today it’s one of the most popular venues in Paris for organ recitals and vocal music in a historic setting.
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Saint-Germain-des-Prés
One of the oldest churches in the city, in the heart of the picturesque neighborhood. After a massive restoration, the blue, star-studded ceiling looks simply magical.
The acoustics here are excellent, and there’s no better way to end a day of wandering the neighborhood than with heavenly music.
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Église Saint-Eustache
My favorite church in Paris. A rare combination of splendor, history (the funeral of Mozart’s mother was held here) and an organ considered the best in the city.
Organ competitions and wonderful recitals are held here. A must for fans of the genre.
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Saint-Éphrem
A hidden gem in the Latin Quarter. A church of the Syriac Catholic rite that offers an intimate, special experience.
The draw here is the candlelight concerts, which create a romantic, unforgettable atmosphere.
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Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
One of the oldest churches in the city (12th century), right across from Notre-Dame. The church belongs to the Melkite rite, so the music here is different and special.
You can hear Middle Eastern liturgical works and chamber concerts here in a historic setting.
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Saint-Sulpice
A huge church that houses the organ by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, considered the pinnacle of 19th-century organ building.
Alongside organ recitals, impressive instrumental concerts are held here. Tip: follow it with a good meal in the neighborhood.
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Église Saint-Roch
In the 18th century, the organ of the Église Saint-Roch in the 1st arrondissement drew such crowds that the archbishop had to limit how much it was played.
The current instrument has 53 stops and 2,832 pipes, and its carved case dates from 1752. An association called Les Heures musicales de Saint-Roch produces concerts here regularly and commissions new works. Admission to the church itself is free every day.
Opera, theaters and symphony orchestra
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Palais Garnier
More than just a concert hall, this is one of the most magnificent (and over-the-top) buildings in Paris. A visit here is an aesthetic must.
Today it mostly stages ballet, but sometimes opera too. It’s a first-rate cultural experience.
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Opéra Bastille
The younger (and less pretty, if I may) sister of the Garnier, but true opera lovers can’t ignore it.
This is where the biggest and most important productions of the Paris National Opera are staged, with fine modern acoustics.
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Opéra Comique
A historic gem from 1714 that’s less known to visitors, which is a shame. The venue was thoroughly renovated recently.
Every year about 6 or 7 quality opera productions are staged here, in a hall that’s more intimate than the Garnier but full of character.
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Théâtre du Châtelet
A magnificent theater built on the ruins of a notorious prison. Fondly remembered from the film “Le Concert” (see the video).
Over the years the giants of music have performed here, and it continues to stage varied, fascinating musical productions.
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Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
An iconic Art Deco building remembered for the scandal of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Things are calmer today.
You’ll find a series of vocal concerts, arias and operettas here, usually at sensible prices. A great option.
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Philharmonie de Paris
An impressive modern building in the 19th arrondissement that’s an architectural experience in itself.
For sound lovers: the acoustics here are considered among the best in the world, and the musical experience is first-rate.
More special venues
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A concert at the Eiffel Tower
Yes, you heard right. On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower there are popular concerts (Vivaldi, Schubert) with a breathtaking view.
The bonus? The concert ticket includes the trip up the tower, so you win twice: an experience and a view.
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Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV knew how to live, and the opera house and the chapel at the palace are proof of it.
Baroque operas and sacred works are performed here at the highest level. It isn’t cheap, but ladies and gentlemen, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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Théâtre Grévin
Know the wax museum? In the same complex hides a small, ornate concert hall from 1900.
A great place for chamber music in an intimate setting that the average tourist doesn’t know.
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Café de la Danse
Located near the Bastille, this place offers something a little different. Not only classical, but a wide range of shows.
Recommended if you’ve done the big halls and are looking for a more current, rougher-edged Parisian vibe.
Love music? Here are a few more articles you’ll enjoy
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The story of Carmen
The most popular opera in the world, in a fascinating lecture by Shlomi Keinan (in Hebrew).
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La Marseillaise
A musical journey in the footsteps of the national anthem of France: history, blood and tears.
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French Baroque
Music that will make you think its creators went mad (in the best possible way).
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Jazz in Paris
Warm recommendations and a little history of the jazz scene in the City of Light.
Still haven’t found your concert?
In this article I picked my favorite venues, but Paris offers many more options that I couldn’t fit in here.
If you feel like exploring further and finding the perfect event for your dates, click the button below for the full, up-to-date list.
Discover what else you’ll find in each arrondissement of Paris
Each of the 20 arrondissements of Paris has its own page on my site. On each card: what there is to see in the arrondissement, and a link to the full page.
1st arrondissementThe Louvre
The Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, the Orangerie, the Tuileries Garden, the Palais-Royal and Place Vendôme.
Attractions in the 1st
2nd arrondissementThe Bourse
The original covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage Colbert and Passage des Panoramas), the Bibliothèque nationale at the Richelieu site, the Tour Jean-sans-Peur and Rue Montorgueil.
Attractions in the 2nd
3rd arrondissementThe northern Marais
The northern Marais: Musée Picasso, Musée Carnavalet, Musée Cognacq-Jay and the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature.
Attractions in the 3rd
19th arrondissementButtes-Chaumont
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Parc de la Villette, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and the Philharmonie.
Attractions in the 19th
20th arrondissementBelleville
Père Lachaise Cemetery, Parc de Belleville and the Belleville neighborhood, in the footsteps of Édith Piaf.
Attractions in the 20th
Where to stay in Paris?
The hotels I’ve stayed in myself, and the hotels my readers book most often, by arrondissement and budget.
Paris walking itineraries
My walking routes through Paris, arrondissement by arrondissement, with the stories behind the streets and my tips along the way.
