How to Book Tickets for Shows in Paris

France offers a huge range of performances, from theatre and opera to musicals, contemporary dance and concerts. Here's how booking works, from where to buy to what you'll pay, how to choose a seat and where to find discounts. Helpful links are collected under "Learn more" at the bottom of the script (app menu > Script).

The most popular online platforms are FNAC Spectacles and Ticketmaster France. They let you browse and buy tickets for all kinds of shows in one place. You can also buy from a venue's official website: famous houses such as the Palais Garnier and the Théâtre du Châtelet sell tickets on their own sites. I usually compare ticketing platforms with the theatre's own site and go with the best price. You can buy in person at the box office, too. I like to lock in tickets for must-see shows ahead of time, so I've never bought on the day, but friends of mine sometimes get lucky and land great seats for less.

Prices vary by type of show and venue. On average, concerts, plays and musicals run from about €10 to €100, and opera from about €10 to €200. Seats are split into six to ten categories by location, and the pricier the seat, the better the view of the stage.

I once saw Don Pasquale at the Palais Garnier from the cheapest seat, at €25. It was in a third-floor side loge, or box, and even within the box the price depended on whether you were in the first or second row. I was in the back row, and more than half of the stage was completely hidden. There was no way to lean or twist to see it. In France, such restricted-view seats are sold. Having experienced an extreme case, I was surprisingly happy with it, and I could see how selling such seats very cheaply might work well for everyone. I'd landed a seat at a sold-out show, I could feel the atmosphere, and I got to enjoy the music in full, even without seeing the whole stage. That was enough to make me happy, and it's why I kept seeking out opera.

These seats are labelled "Visibilité réduite" in French, and some venues even sell "Sans Visibilité" seats with no view at all. They can be a good choice if you want to focus on the music. If you're still unsure, use the seat-view preview offered when you book. For most big-theatre shows, you can see an image of the stage from your seat. For example, the image shown here compares the actual view from a €12 seat, the cheapest for Les Misérables, with the sample view I saw when booking.

Don't overlook discounts, either. Student, youth and group discounts all exist, and the youth discount is generally available to young tourists from abroad as well. At the Comédie-Française, for example, people under 28 can sometimes get free tickets to Monday performances. Previews (avant-premières) are sold very cheaply. Opéra Bastille's avant-premières are sold only to those 28 and under at a flat rate of around €10. With quick fingers and a little luck, you could land a €220 ticket for €10, but competition is fierce. I've managed it exactly once, by waiting online right when tickets went on sale.

Discount policies change all the time, so I'll share any better deals I find later.