Where to Hear Jazz in Paris

The crowded streets of Paris' Latin Quarter lend this popular neighborhood an unmistakable party vibe. Dozens of restaurant, pastry shops, cafes, and public theaters line the alleyways, but visitors agree it's the late-night jazz clubs, such as the iconic Le Caveau de la Huchette, that make this spot a true live music mecca.

This neighborhood was a center for jazz in the 1920s, when famous musicians made frequent stops in this part of the city to play in underground clubs and bars. Today, you can hear live jazz at Swan Bar, Le Bar Hotel Villa, and the Paris-Prague Jazz Club. Les Deux Magots, made famous by Ernest Hemingway, is also in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, as is the equally iconic Café de Flore.

Originally a banking center in medieval Paris, Les Halles’ Rue des Lombards is now home to three of the main French jazz clubs in Paris: Le Baiser Salé, Le Duc des Lombards, and the Sunset Sunside Jazz Club, which is a quintessential stop for travelers looking to experience old-school charm, smoky nights, and smooth jazz.

At Montparnasse's Le Petit Journal, you can hear orchestral sounds, soul music, the iconic brass bands of New Orleans, and singers who resurrect the great divas. Café Universel and Dame Rose are other excellent venues for live jazz.