Film & cinema in Paris

The city that held the world’s first public film screening still has a passion for the movies. More tickets per capita are bought here than anywhere else in Europe, and, in any given week, there’s a choice of around 350 flicks – not counting festivals.

New cinemas are added all the time; although they tend to be multiplexes (the next big addition is MK2’s 14-screen behemoth in the 19th, due for completion in 2012), the old-fashioned art et essai venues that did so much to teach the likes of Truffaut and Tavernier about film after World War II, are – just – managing to get by.

Happily, the rise of the multiplex hasn’t meant a reduction in the choice and variety of films on offer. In Paris, multiplexes regularly show films from Eastern Europe, Asia and South America, and countless independent cinemas continue to screen a hugely eclectic assortment of cult, classic and just plain obscure films. As well as retrospectives and cut-price promotions, there are often visits from directors and stars.

Tickets & information

What's showing

New releases hit the screens on Wednesdays. Hollywood is well represented, of course, but Paris audiences have a balanced cinematic diet that satisfies their appetite for international films as well as shorts and documentaries.

On top of this there are the 150-plus annual releases funded or part-funded with French money (the French film industry is still the world’s third largest, after the US and India).

Film listings

For venues, times and prices, consult one of the city’s two main weekly listings magazines: L’Officiel des Spectacles and Pariscope. Films nouveaux are new releases, Exclusivités are the also-showing titles, and Reprises means archive or repertoire films.

Buying tickets

Buy tickets in the usual way at the cinema – for new blockbusters, especially at multiplexes, it pays to buy tickets at least one screening in advance. You can also phone AlloCiné (08.92.89.28.92, www.allocine.fr).

Discounts

Seats are often discounted by 20 to 30 per cent at Monday or Wednesday screenings, and the Mairie sponsors cut-price promotions at cinemas throughout the year.

Unlimited tickets

If you’re in town for longer than a couple of weeks, you might want to pick up a carte illimitée, a season ticket that allows unlimited viewing: every multiplex chain offers one.

Festivals & events

Salon du Cinéma: this event features behind-the-scenes reconstructions of movie sets, allowing the public to watch the work of make-up artists, cameramen and stuntmen (Jan).

Côté Court Ciné 104: a great selection of new and old short films shown at Ciné 104 and a handful of neighbouring venues (June).

Paris Cinéma: a programme of shorts and documentaries sponsored by the Mairie (July).

Cinéma au Clair de Lune: night-time films on giant open-air screens in squares and public gardens around town: a party atmosphere is guaranteed (Aug).

3 Jours/3 Euros: this Mairie-sponsored promotion is timed to start getting kids into cinemas before the schools go back. For three days, every screening costs just €3 (Aug).

L’Etrange Festival: explicit sex, gore and weirdness in the screenings and ‘happenings’ at this annual feast of all things unconventional draw large crowds (Sept).

Les Rencontres: a global choice of new independent features, documentaries and short films (Nov, Dec).

See all festivals & events in Paris

Top tips

DVDs: French DVD labels produce some of the most expertly curated discs in the world. At Fnac and Virgin Megastore, you’re more than likely to find American and British titles otherwise unavailable in the US or UK.

English-language films: for non-francophone flicks, look out for two letters somewhere near the title: VO (version originale) means a screening in the original language with French subtitles; VF (version française) means that it has been dubbed into French.

Film magazines: local interest is strong enough to sustain several monthly movie magazines, and there’s even a book fair, the Salon du Livre, des Revues et du DVD de Cinéma, devoted to writing on film.

Our listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.

See all cinemas in Paris