Pariscope
The Paris entertainment guide
By Rick Steves
Newsstands sell weekly magazines listing all the events and happenings in Paris. Pariscope is cheap and essential if you want to know what's happening. Pick one up and page through it.
The magazine, all in French, begins with culture news, then lists "Théâtre" and what's playing at all key theater venues). "Musique and Concerts Classiques" follow, listing each day's events (program, location, time, price), including both opera houses if performances are scheduled. Remember that some concerts are free (entrée libre).
"Promenades et Loisirs" covers outdoor events, including outdoor theater, flea markets, sound-and-light shows (son et lumieres), key monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, river cruises, parks, zoos, and aquariums.
The "Enfants" section covers myriad possible children's activities. "Spectacles" are shows (like magic shows); you'll also see many "Marionettes" shows and "Cirques" (circuses) — both are fun, even for non-French speakers.
A third of the magazine is devoted to "Cinéma" — a Parisian forte. While a code marks films as "Comédie," "Documentaire," "Drame," "Karaté," "Erotisme," and so on, the key mark for non-French-speakers is "v.o.," for version originale (original-language version) — this means the movie hasn't been dubbed in French. Films are listed alphabetically, by neighborhood ("Salles Paris"), and by genre. To find a showing near your hotel, simply look for a cinema in the same arrondissement. "Salles Périphérie" means the cinema is located out in the suburbs. Many cinemas offer discounts on Monday or Wednesday nights.
The "Arts" section lists current hours for temporary expositions and all the museums (tlj = daily, sf = except, Ent = entry price, TR = reduced price — usually for students and children).
For cancan mischief, look under "Paris la Nuit."