Curtains Up, Costs Down: Experiencing Paris' Culture Scene for Less

It’s no secret that the City of Lights can be a pricey place to live, but that doesn’t stop millions of young people flocking from far and wide to experience its magic. If your budget is tight but you still crave some culture, don’t panic: we’ve got you covered. Here’s our foolproof guide to enjoying a Paris bonanza on a budget: from music concerts to classic theatre, cabaret to comedy, here’s an all-inclusive line-up that won’t break the bank from two students saving their pennies!

Concerts on a Crunch

Stop stalking your ex on Spotify and get stuck into some incredible, budget-friendly concerts! No matter what your playlist looks like, Paris is brimming with music opportunities for you. The city’s jazz scene is a great way to immerse yourself in a cool yet classic cultural phenomenon. Sunset Sunside Jazz Club is currently offering a 25% discount when you buy 2 tickets to one of their soulful shows: grab a friend (or date, wink wink) and a drink and lose yourself in the mellow music. Alternatively, check out Baiser Salé Jazz Club for 20 euro tickets to see up-and-coming jazz starlets. We’re not here to gate keep: get stuck into some hot new talent in venues with the best vibes by clicking here. If jazz isn’t your thing, there’s a whole host of classical music on offer too! Channel your inner Mozart at the exquisite Candlelight Concert Series at L’Église Saint-Ephrem. For just 26 euros, you can escape the autumn chills inside this secluded medieval church and let the music take your breath away. Move aside Gilmore Girls - we’ve found our new autumn obsession.

Cost-Effective Cabaret

Paris is renowned for its incomparable cabaret scene, as you might have seen in the most recent season of Emily in Paris, but it can be tricky to navigate when you’re saving for a rainy day. Luckily, there are plenty of hotspots that will give you the performance of a lifetime at bargain prices! For just 20 euros, Cabaret Canaille at the Théâtre Michel promises a show of strip-teases, feather fans and golden age glamour which will leave you begging for more! Similarly, Cabaret Burlesque offers a camp and quirky show which will only set you back 25 euros. If you’re an avid fan of Rupaul’s Drag Race, Madame Arthur - Cabaret Drag Queen is the show for you. Sashay away to the Madame Arthur Club for a night of musical revelry for just 32 euros! A very demure, very mindful way to enjoy Parisian cabaret.

Cheap, Charming, Classic and Contemporary Theatre

Craving some classic theatre without forking out too much? The classics series at the Theatre Le Ranelagh will give you a theatrical fix for a small price! Marvel at Molière without splashing your money, since guests under 26 can snatch up exclusive 19 euro tickets to a myriad of timeless shows, including Molière’s The Miser (L’Avare), Corneille's The Cid and Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray... all including English surtitling! If you’re looking for something a little more modern, Theatre Silvia Monfort is our new number one spot for contemporary shows. Their incredibly diverse repertoire of acrobatics, music, and theatre is available to you for just 21 euros (or a mere 17 euros if you’re under 18!). Check out Ombres portées for a tumultuous acrobatic trip through the human psyche, Sarabande for a juggler’s twist on a classical music recital, or Les Quatre Points cardinaux sont trois for an exploration of identity through theatre and acrobatics.

Dance on a Dime

Need a palate cleanser from watching your friends grooving in the club? Paris has a whole host of gorgeous contemporary dance pieces for competitive prices. The Théâtre du Rond-Point has a thrilling programme of shows promising student-friendly tickets. Highlights include Bate Fado, a mix of traditional and modern Portuguese dance styles with Jonas&Lander, THISISPAIN, a rich and exciting dialogue between flamenco and contemporary dance, and Madame Ose Bashung, a cross-dressing cabaret paying tribute to one of France's greatest songwriters: Alain Bashung. Both of which you can experience for just 23 euros if you’re under 30 and 19 euros if you’re under 18! Dance performances are also a great form of self-care by reducing anxiety and helping you chill out! Let your daily worries melt away as you watch the artistry unfold.

Stand-up (Without splashing out!)

Had a tough day at work or uni? Laugh away your troubles with some side-splitting stand-up! The ridiculously funny How to Become Parisian in One Hour offers 23 euro student tickets for anyone needing a good giggle and a couple of tips for blending in. Olivier Giraud delivers a comedy masterclass in this one hour, 100% English, one-man extravaganza! This is a cost-effective culture trip that will have you and your friends in stitches!

Stay savvy while shopping

In desperate need of some retail therapy, without the whopping price tag attached? Get stuck into the guided visit of the Printemps Haussman, an exclusive tour of an infamous department store from time gone by! Be transported through the ages by this opulent shopping experience, which gives you special access to galleries, machine rooms, and a stunning panoramic view of the city. What’s not to love?

A Gift They’ll Never Forget!

Everyone has that loved one who is impossible to buy presents for, so why not give them a day to remember instead? With our gift card, they can choose to see one of our amazing shows, concerts, cabarets and more! And you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ve given them the best present of all — an extra-special memory to last a lifetime.

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