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The majority of films that aren’t in the French language will be shown in version originale (VO) in the cinemas listed below, thank goodness, therefore French subtitles rather than dreadful over-dubbing. Explore which films are showing in Paris by visiting Allocine You can search either by cinema or film.
The owner of Bon Marché built this in 1896 for his soon-to-be-divorced wife as a a beautifully styled Japanese pagoda which began life as a ballroom. Since converting to a picturehouse in 1930 it's had its ups and downs and has been closed at times, but it's now part of L'Etoile cinemas, a small arthouse chain. Stained glass windows, paintings and tapestries will impress in the sumptuous interior and there's a green terrace in which to partake of a cup of tea.
La Pagode Address
57 Rue de Babylone, 7th Arrondissement
Metro Saint-Francois-Xavier
Website: http://www.etoile-cinema.com/
Rue Champollion in the Latin Quarter is home to a grand total of three arthouse cinemas. The Filmothèque one shows an eclectic selection of films, auteur retrospectives, American new wave as well as new and classic French films. The salles are named after screen goddesses Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.
La FilmothèqueAddress
9 Rue Champollion, 5th Arrondissement
Areas: Saint-Michel/Odéon
Website: http://www.lafilmotheque.fr/
Champo Salle 2
Le Champo stands on the corner of Rue Champollion, and shows films ranging from classic 1930's British cinema to all-nighters for insomniacs: three films in a row with breakfast thrown in for 15 euros. Sorbonne students are regulars and in its illustrious past Le Champo has hosted premiers for no less than Marcel Carné and Jacques Tati.
Le Champ Address
#51 Rue des Ecoles, 5th Arrondissement
Metro Saint-Michel, Odéon, or Cluny La Sorbonne
Website: http://www.lechampo.com/
These cinemas look suspiciously like modern multiplexes but offer a much greater range of films than the average. They’re to be found on either side of the Bassin de la Villette in N.E. Paris and the other side can be reached by a little boat travelling between the two. There's also a good multimedia shop with DVDs sorted by auteur and cafes on site.
MK2 Quai de Seine and MK2 Quai de Loire Addresses
7 Quai de Loire and 14 Quai de Seine, 19th Arrondissement
Metro: Jaures
Website: http://www.mk2.com/sallescinema-16-mk2quaideloire.html
Studio 28 dates from 1928 therefore I think it’s probably safe to assume that that’s the reason for the name … It’s a charming and historic little place in Montmartre: the very first independent cinema in France. It was also a pioneer in introducing the loyalty card to France in the 1950s. Even its film programme, produced on a Wednesday, is a stylishly old-fashioned pdf.
Studio 28 Address
10, rue Tholozé, Paris, 18th arrondissement
Metro : Blanche, Abbesses
Website: http://www.cinemastudio28.com/
As well as preserving and making accessible film of the city of Paris - film dating back from as early as 1895 - the Forum aims to show classic and obscure French and foreign films from lots of different eras. It's situated in the seventh circle of hell that is the Forum des Halles and is really the only thing worth going there for in my opinion. Modern, comfortable and spacious and there's a lovely cafe to relax in before or after your film-viewing.
Address Froum des Images
1 Grande Galerie 1er Porte St-Eustache, Forum des Halles, 1st Arrondissement
Metro Châtelet–Les Halles
Website: www.forumdesimages.net
The Cinémathèque is housed in a purpose-built modernist temple to film. It has one of the biggest collections film, documents and objects related to cinema, and, the cherry on the cake, shows classic films from here, there and everywhere. Included in the collection of artefacts are very early precursors to the camera, famous film costumes and even a copy of the robot Maria from Metropolis. It also hosts exhibitions such as the Tim Burton show that first appeared in MOMA, NY.
Cinémathèque Française Address
77, rue de Bercy (Hôtel All Seasons) ou 8, boulevard de Bercy, 12th Arrondissement
Metro Bercy
Website: http://www.cinematheque.fr/
As the name would suggest, this cinema shows "latin" films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal, etc and some of them have a gay slant. Formerly known as the Latina, it’s in the Marais district. Le Cafe Rouge is a lovely laid-back cafe within the building, and there’s a small shop on site also.
Le Nouveau Latina Address
20 Rue du Temple, 4th Arrondissement
Metro Hôtel de Ville
Website: http://www.lenouveaulatina.com/
More mainstream films tend to be shown here than in the other cinemas on this list meaning that there’s usually an enormous digital superhero poster or two decorating the front of this beautiful art deco cinema, however it is independent. Go just to ogle the fancy interior and soak up some of its glamorous history if there isn’t a film on that you fancy. Read about Quirky Travel’s embarrassing backstage tour of Le Grand Rex
Le Grand Rex Address
78 rue de la Verrerie, Marais, 2e
Metro Bonne Nouvelle or Grands Boulevards
Website: Le Grand Rex website
Comment by Léa Germain on July 9, 2012 at 11:46am Thanks for this neat shortlist!
Parisian cinemas have such a unique charm!
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