11 Best Concerts and Operas in Paris

In Paris you can enjoy a wide variety of opera houses and theatres offering classical concerts as well as modern adaptations or performances. It's one of the best things to do in Paris if you want to get a taste of the local culture. I suggest starting with the famed Opéra Garnier, whose regular repertoire is varied and full of surprises.

Operas and concerts are such a popular activity in the French capital that they even take place in Parisian temples such as the Sainte Chapelle, the Church of St. Ephrem and the Church of the Madeleine. I invite you to enjoy an incomparable sensory experience with their rhythms and stage proposals. Here are the most popular programmes and when you can take advantage of them.

The Palace of Versailles is so famous that it attracts thousands of tourists every year. However, many visitors to the palace overlook its wide range of classical concerts, opera and ballet performances.

Regular concerts not to be missed include:

• Musiques à Versailles: a festival that organises concerts on the first Tuesdays from October to July. They are usually held in the most prestigious halls, so it is also an unforgettable visual spectacle.
• Grand Eaux Musicales: if you plan to visit Paris in March, you should know that this is the month when the famous concerts begin in the gardens of Versailles. It is an evening that combines the beauty of the lighting of the fountains with baroque music in the background.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the palace is available from €24. Prices for classical concerts vary according to the type of event.
• Opening hours: Concerts are offered in the afternoon and evening. The palace is open from Tuesday to Sunday and the opening hours of the Palace of Versailles vary according to the season.
• Location: in Versailles, specifically Place d'Armes.

If there's one place that should be at the top of your itinerary, it's the Opéra Garnier. It is an imposing theatre of world renown that usually offers dance and opera performances as well as classical concerts. Each show is available on certain dates which can vary from year to year, so check the schedule.

You can enjoy Les Brigands on stage and marvel at Jacques Offenbach' s opera, a favourite in the regular repertoire for its impressive three acts. Or opt for Mozart in Cosi Fan Tutte which is a classic theatre experience.

A visit to the Opéra Garnier is also recommended outside the hours of the artistic performances to discover its history and chase the famous "Phantom of the Opera", a fantastic story that you can explore if accompanied by a guide.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the theatre is available from €14. Guided tours are also available from €338. But if you want to see a show you should know that there are plays from €42 and that the most anticipated ones are usually more expensive. In addition, the price rises depending on the type of seats selected.
• Opening times: usually between the afternoon and evening.
• Location: Place de l'Opéra, in the 9th arrondissement. You can use the Paris metro to get there.

Take advantage of the atmosphere of the Sainte Chapelle and enjoy a concert with different nuances. Don't miss the performances of Vivaldi and Bach which bring classics of Parisian music to the stage. In particular, candlelit concerts are popular in Paris, especially in cathedrals and churches. Here you can marvel at one and delight in a varied and intimate repertoire, where you will feel like you are in medieval France.

They are usually held in the chapel chamber and you will be surrounded by stained-glass windows that will leave you speechless. You'll love the concerts at this church because they bring in the leading stars of romantic piano, something you won't get to see just anywhere. Christmas and New Year's concerts at the Sainte-Chapelle offer a magical and unique experience in a breathtaking setting. Works by Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart and Handel are often performed, as well as festive pieces.

Capacity is limited and it is advisable to book in advance. Note that you can also buy tickets for the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie to see in detail the elements of a 13th century church and experience an augmented reality experience.

Although admission to the Sainte Chapelle is a must in Paris, it does not give you access to the concerts. Similarly, if you buy tickets for any of the concerts, unfortunately you will only see some areas of the chapel and access will be restricted.

Details of interest

• Price: from €19 per person, may be higher depending on the type of seat and experience selected. Please note that tickets for the church are separate and at a different time, costing around €23.
• Opening times: You should check the schedule because concerts are held on certain days of the week, usually from 19:00, although the church is open from 9:00.
• Location: on the Île de la Cité, near Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Beyond the paintings of the Louvre, the museum is also home to one of the most magical concert halls in Paris. Known as the Auditorium du Louvre, you can enjoy classical music concerts in a completely different setting. There are also contemporary shows that include audience interaction.

There are also musical shows where you can learn more about the museum. It is also known for opening its doors to up-and-coming artists and international figures. Keep in mind that some shows are temporary, but there are also those that are here to stay.

You can take advantage and get tickets for the Louvre Museum, as the auditorium is inside the museum, but you need two different tickets. In other words, tickets to the Louvre do not give you access to the concerts, nor vice versa.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on the concert, you can get tickets from €10, although access to the museum costs an additional €51 and is not included in the ticket price.
• Opening times: may vary depending on the type of show, but generally they are performed in the afternoon between 17:00 and 19:00. Evening options are also available from 20:00 and the Louvre Museum can be visited from 9:00.
• Location: Rue de Rivoli.

The Church of St. Ephrem is another perfect hideaway to enjoy Parisian concerts in a quiet and charming atmosphere. Not only will you have a cultural experience, but you will also get a taste of baroque music with high quality acoustics.

The most famous event is the candlelit concerts which add a mysterious touch to the performance. It consists of an evening evening with classical piano notes and works by Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy.

There are also concerts dedicated exclusively to Chopin, whose catalogue of piano music is immortalised in time. In fact, he is known for his influence on the instrumental ballad, something you can enjoy during the church's tributes.

As a tip, I would also take advantage of this cultural activity to book a tour of the Latin Quarter of Paris and visit the city' s Pantheon, as they are within walking distance.

Details of interest

• Price: from €25 per concert.
• Times: Concert dates and times may vary, but are generally booked for weekends and special dates.
• Location: Near the Pantheon in Paris and within walking distance of the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

If you like classical music, galas and violin concerts, the Philharmonie de Paris is the place for you. Within its walls resound the notes of Beethoven and Mozart and an authentic Parisian opera atmosphere is on display.

This is where the imposing Orchestre de Paris and other famous choirs of the capital perform. And although it has several charming halls, many tourists are interested in the Salle Pierre Boulez. It is not limited to classical music, it is actually multi-faceted and you can enjoy concerts of:

• Jazz, pop or rock.
• Symphonic.
• Contemporary.
• Baroque.
• Musicals.
• Music combined with ballet.
• International music concerts.
• Christmas and New Year concerts.

Details of interest

• Price: Concert prices usually range from €10 to €80, but special performances such as the New Year's Concert can be more expensive.
• Timetable: Concerts are generally held in the afternoon between 15:00 and 19:00. There are also evening itineraries from 20:00 to 21:00, but it is important to check their website for possible changes.
• Location: at La Cité de la Musique in Paris, in the Pont de Flanders district.

The Opéra de la Bastille offers a varied programme of classical works such as Carmen, La Traviata and Don Giovanni. Their concerts include symphonic music and they also welcome the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris.

I especially recommend going to see The Nutcracker or the famous Swan Lake.

This opera house is where renowned artists such as tenor Benjamin Bernheim have begun their careers. And even new versions of famous plays such as Romeo and Juliet have been created, including musical performances and opera crossovers.

Interesting details

• Price: between €10 and €200, depending on the concert and the seats selected.
• Time: usually takes place between 19:30 and 20:00, depending on the type of show.
• Location: near the Place de la Bastille.

Another non-traditional concert venue is the Seine Musicale. This performing arts centre offers everything from classical music concerts and orchestral performances to rock shows by popular bands.

In fact, it has the most extensive repertoire in Paris with a variety of French and international offerings. For example, it includes K-pop and mandopop concerts, which are quite popular genres in Asia. You won't have to travel the world to enjoy your favourite music and genres, as the offerings defy expectations.

It even has concerts and shows that revolve around magic, humour and electro.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enjoy classical concerts, rock shows and opera from 12 €.
• Opening times: they start between 19:00 and 21:00.
• Location: La Seine Musicale, Île Seguin.

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, you have to experience comic opera, a genre that fuses dramatic music, mime and spoken dialogue. In Paris you can take advantage of this at the Opéra Comique where, with every scene, performers will show you the connection between cinema and opera, offering a show that is off the charts.

Before cinema became the main genre of entertainment, opera was a favourite activity for Parisians. Hence works such as Carmen, Georges Bizet's famous opera, which embarks on the relationship between opera and theatre. Don't be surprised if you find yourself bursting out laughing in what seems like a solemn, impenetrable atmosphere.

Another play that is often featured in the annual programme is Les Contes d'Hoffmann, an operatic spectacle that mixes fantasy with tragedy. You can also enjoy La Fille du Régiment and La Périchole.

Interesting details

• Price: from 30 €.
• Opening times: Concerts are usually held between 19:00 and 20:30.
• Location: near Place de l'Opéra, between the Opéra Garnier and Boulevard Montmartre.

The Théâtre de l'Athénée is looking forward to delighting you with a selection of classical and contemporary works. Enjoy authentic Parisian rhythms in an Italian-style hall that is quite popular for its jazz concerts and other genres.

One of the best features of this theatre is its history since 1896. This has made it a historical monument and a trusted place to enjoy concerts in the capital.

This opera house has impressive acoustics and you will be able to appreciate every element that makes up the musical pieces. It is perfect if you want to escape the crowds, as most tourists seek out the more popular options, leaving this gem for the more adventurous.

Interesting details

• Price: from 34 €.
• Opening hours: There are usually shows from 19:00 onwards.
• Location: 2 Rue de la Michodière, near Boulevard Montmartre. It is within walking distance of the Grands Boulevards metro station.

Enjoy concerts and musical Sundays at the Church of the Madeleine, one of the best churches to visit in Paris. Its presence in the capital of France is quite intriguing because its architecture is more akin to the façades of Ancient Greece.

Its years of history and impressive décor are not its only attraction, as some of the capital's most spectacular concerts come to life here. It offers themed music shows such as Fauré's Requiem or Ravel's Bolero.

On musical Sundays they offer an evening of organ concerts by local and international masters. And if you plan to visit Paris in December, don't miss the Christmas concerts.

Interesting details

• Price: from €25.
• Opening times: usually start between 20:00 and 21:30. Special times are offered for the Christmas and New Year's concerts.
• Location: in the Place de la Madeleine, located at the end of Rue Royale.