Which Show Should You See?

Worried that the language barrier might keep you from catching a show in Paris? Here are a few ways to enjoy a performance, depending on your situation. Helpful links are collected under "Learn more" at the bottom of the script (app menu > Script).

If you're comfortable in English, look for shows with English surtitles. Big events like the Festival d'Automne, which runs for three to four months from September every year, often include performances with English subtitles. At an Italian-language production I saw at the Odéon, there were French surtitles at every show and English surtitles at a couple of performances. Large opera houses such as the Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille also frequently offer both French and English surtitles.

If any foreign language feels like too much, go for dance. Ballet and contemporary dance move you through body and music rather than words, so you can simply enjoy them without worrying about language.

If you're more interested in the theatre than the show, take a tour. A historic house like the Palais Garnier is a work of art in its own right, and if you book ahead you can tour it without seeing a performance. Not every theatre offers tours, though, so check the programme and book in advance.

Where do you find out what's on? In France, the main ticketing sites are Fnac, Ticketmaster France and France Billet, which list opera, theatre, musicals, circus and more in one place. Cultural magazines and newspapers such as Télérama and Le Figaro also cover the latest Paris shows. It's worth keeping an eye on the programmes of theatre festivals like the Festival d'Automne and the Festival d'Avignon, as well as the winners of the Molières. The Molière Awards are France's top performing arts honours, comparable to Broadway's Tonys and the West End's Olivier Awards, and are named after Molière, the great French playwright and actor.

You can also follow the programme of a theatre you're curious about. That's my own go-to method, and it helps to know a few venues in advance, which is why I've included theatre introductions in the second half of this tour. Stay tuned!

Finally, Paris advertises shows in metro stations and on building screens. Beyond the metro, you'll spot green cylindrical pillars called Colonnes Morris all over the streets. A uniquely Parisian cultural icon dating back to the 19th century, they're plastered with posters for shows, films and exhibitions, and their classic design and colour make them stand out.