9 of the Top Spots To Hear Jazz in Paris

The venue that is now Le Caveau de la Huchette packs serious Parisian history: it was once used by the Knights Templar and Freemasons, and it was later used as a meeting point for the likes of Marat and Robespierre during the French Revolution. This subterranean cave makes for an inviting atmosphere—no wonder it made a cameo appearance in La La Land.

With performances every night and a crowd that likes to dance to the music, it’s the perfectly transportive Paris jazz experience (and is worth visiting after you do a walking tour of the adjacent Île de la Cité).

Described as the oldest jazz club in Europe that’s still active today, Le Bal Blomet was founded in 1924 in the heart of Montparnasse, ground zero for the era’s Lost Generation. Once frequented by the likes of Josephine Baker, Kiki de Montparnasse, Man Ray, and Joan Miró, Le Bal Blomet is once again one of the top jazz venues in Paris after a recent refurbishment and reopening.

Outfitted with table seating across two levels, it attracts devoted listeners and sells out regularly. Book early, and pair your visit with a Lost Generation walking tour for added history and context.

Often considered Paris’ answer to legendary jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s in London and the Village Vanguard in New York City, Duc des Lombards is an essential stop for any visiting jazz lover. Its intimate scale is one of its strongest draws, as is its excellent piano and sound system, and its propensity to host jazz legends (Wynton Marsalis, Erik Truffaz, and Ahmad Jamal have all performed here). And with more than 300 performances each year, it almost always has something exciting to discover.

Insider tip: Duc des Lombards' cheese boards and other light bites are destination-worthy (as are the late-night cocktails).

You know a city takes its jazz seriously when it has a whole street devoted to the genre. That would be Paris’ Rue des Lombards, just a quick stroll from the Notre Dame Cathedral. The street is nicknamed the “Rue du Jazz” because it’s home to three jazz clubs: the Duc des Lombards, Le Baiser Salé, and Sunset Sunside.

Technically, it might actually be three-and-a-half, given that Sunset Sunside is two clubs in one. On the ground floor, you’ll find Sunside, devoted to acoustic jazz, while Sunset, in the basement, is home to all things electronic jazz.

Completing the Rue du Jazz trifecta, Le Baiser Salé (The Salty Kiss) was founded by the Martinique-born Gibson Brothers in the 1980s. From the beginning, this cozy and welcoming jazz bar has aimed to represent the full breadth, diversity, and fusion of the genre, rather than adhering to tradition or remaining stuck in the past. Its concerts stand out for focusing on international musicians working in a range of styles, and for celebrating up-and-coming performers.

Insider tip: Le Baiser Salé’s bar doesn’t close until 6am, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy late-night cocktails after the show.

While Paris embraced early jazz traditions that were imported from the US, the City of Light also birthed its own jazz style. That would be jazz manouche, a genre which incorporates the traditional folk stylings of Romani music, pioneered by Romani-French guitarist Django Reinhardt.

There are a number of jazz bars in Paris now devoted to the sub-genre, though few rival La Chope des Puces. A small café located within the Saint-Ouen Flea Market, it comes alive during weekends, with live performances all day on Saturdays and Sundays. After your time perusing the market, it’s a worthy cultural detour.

Want to see some of the best jazz concerts in Paris? Simple—just head to a 12th-century cellar. That’s where the clandestine jazz club 38 Riv calls home. Located inconspicuously on the edge of the ever-hip Le Marais, this underground venue, spread across two caverns, invites visitors to get right up close and personal with performers (there’s no space for a dedicated stage, after all).

Known for its eclectic mix of traditional jazz, bossa nova, bebop, swing, and other styles and genres, it’s a great place for a wide musical sampling—and an only-in-Paris kind of night out.

When it comes to Paris jazz scene highlights, it’s hard to get better—or more legendary—than New Morning. Opened in 1981 with a concert by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the venue has since hosted a staggering array of jazz-world greats, from Chet Baker and Dizzy Gillespie to Stan Getz (not to mention beyond-jazz icons such as Prince, Bob Dylan, and Gil Scott-Heron). With a nearly 500-person capacity, it’s a larger venue than many other Paris jazz bars but still manages to retain an intimate feel.

It’s easy to tell Paris takes its jazz seriously. After all, the French capital hosts several major jazz festivals each year. It’s worth going out of your way to attend these annual mainstays (especially after going on a Paris jazz history tour).

The Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Festival, hosted in May, brings musicians to an area that has been associated with jazz since the 1950s, while the La Défense Jazz Festival has been a June staple for almost 50 years. And to round it all off, the Paris Jazz Festival, hosts concerts at the Parc Floral in Paris all season long.