From Grand Cinemas to the Grands Boulevards

To wrap up our tour of theaters, here are a movie palace, a multi-use arts space, an experimental venue and the heart of Paris's theater district.

Le Grand Rex, from the early 1930s, represents the golden age of French cinema and is the most famous movie theater in Paris, as well as a concert hall. It's a huge 2,700-seat house. I once attended a film screening and a masterclass here, and I was stunned: I had never seen such a beautiful cinema. The ceiling is over 30 meters high, which is impressive enough, but what really struck me was the starlit night-sky ceiling and the wall decoration. The interior is styled like an ancient Mediterranean city, so it feels as if you're watching a show outdoors. Unsurprisingly, the building is a listed French historic monument. Besides films, it hosts musicals and film-in-concert events, so check the program in advance and go if you can.

Le Centquatre-Paris is a public arts center that supports the free flow of art and creation. The building, originally the city's funeral home, was converted and opened in 2008 with the support of the City of Paris. It sits in the 19th arrondissement, a mixed residential and commercial area long perceived as somewhat run-down, and to some extent still is. Public money was invested to turn it into a cultural hub, giving local residents new cultural opportunities and bringing more diversity to the Paris arts scene. I go there for concerts, shows and exhibitions, but sometimes I just drop by for the young, lively atmosphere. The central space is laid out like an open yard, and you often see people practicing choreography or juggling, since anyone is free to rehearse and create there. Watching people absorbed in their work while respecting one another's space always gives me a boost. There are charming cafés for a meal or a coffee, along with events like cheese festivals, weekend markets and meditation sessions. Keep in mind that more locals than tourists come here. If you like a neighborhood-y, local feel, it may appeal even more; if you're after the safe, familiar feel of a tourist attraction, it may feel a little unfamiliar.

Les Instants Chavirés is an independent music venue on the outskirts of Paris, focused on indie, experimental and contemporary music. I went on a tip that it was the hottest improvised-music venue in Paris, and it was an experience worth having at least once. It was so experimental and fresh that it made me ask the basic question: what is music? If you're adventurous and love music, this is a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Finally, the Grands Boulevards are the heart of Paris's theater scene. Stretching from the Palais Garnier to the Place de la République, this lively cultural district stages plays, musicals, contemporary dance and more. It is also the birthplace of boulevard theatre, a popular, light-hearted genre that began in the theaters that sprang up along the Grands Boulevards in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These theaters staged light entertainment, a new style that stood apart from the complex, intellectual and historical drama of the public theaters. Examples of boulevard theatre include La Cage aux Folles, which was also adapted into a Broadway musical, and Boeing Boeing. Today the Grands Boulevards remain Paris's main theater district, with rows of theaters and young, lively surroundings.