Tourism
Paris is a celebration.
Theatres, covered arcades and iconic Parisian sights.
At Hôtel des Comédies, the show begins the moment you step through the door.
The Grands Boulevards district is an open-air theatre, and Bonne Nouvelle metro station, just a two-minute walk away, puts you centre stage.
- Paris Tourist Office (exhibitions, events, etc.): www.parisjetaime.com
- Parisian activities and events: www.sortiraparis.com
- Public transportation routes: www.ratp.fr/itineraires
- Vélib’ bike-sharing service: www.velib-metropole.fr
Iconic theatres, just steps away
The Théâtre du Gymnase, which opened in 1820, has staged works by Balzac, Dumas and Guitry. Today, humour, one-person shows and comedy take centre stage. Nearby, the Grand Rex provides a spectacular setting for film screenings and concerts, while the Rex Club keeps the night going for night owls. A little further afield, the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin and the Folies Bergère round out one of the capital’s finest collections of performance venues.
The capital’s must-see sights
The neighbourhood is an ideal base for exploring Paris. The Palais Garnier, with all its operatic splendour, is around an eighteen-minute walk away. The shop windows of Boulevard Haussmann, including Galeries Lafayette and its famous dome, are just ten minutes away on foot. Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur, the Louvre, the Marais and Notre-Dame are all easily reached by metro from the nearby station.
The covered arcades: a Paris of glass roofs and mosaics
It’s the best-kept secret of the Grands Boulevards. The Passage des Panoramas, often described as Paris’s oldest covered arcade, is home to restaurants, stamp and autograph collectors, and the Théâtre des Variétés, which has been staging performances since 1807. Across the street, the Passage Jouffroy charms visitors with its glass roof, marble floor and intriguing shops, offering everything from vintage toys and books to a welcoming tearoom. Tucked away here is the Musée Grévin, the famous wax museum, a firm favourite for rainy days and family outings.
Strolls around République and the Canal
For a change of scene, head east. A fifteen-minute walk takes you to Place de la République, then on to the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, with its footbridges, café terraces and waterside picnics. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee break, lunch on the grass or a leisurely late afternoon watching the barges drift by.
Time for an interval ?
Every good theatre has a foyer where you can discuss the performances. Ours is tucked into the hotel lobby, with its plush armchairs and soft lighting. It’s the perfect spot for a nightcap after an evening out on the Grands Boulevards. Now, the stage is yours!