L’Élysée Montmartre

There’s a particular thrill to walking into the Élysée Montmartre. The bones of this place go back to 1807, where the Can-Can was born, where La Goulue danced and caught the eye of Toulouse-Lautrec, where Louise Michel held court during the Paris Commune.

And yet on a concert night, none of that history feels heavy. It just hums beneath your feet.

After a devastating fire in 2011, the live music venue was meticulously rebuilt and reopened in 2016, with the original Gustave Eiffel structure (salvaged from the French Pavilion at the 1889 Universal Exhibition) incorporated into its architecture.

I felt incredibly lucky to be among the first to go back into this storied salle.

The space feels both grand and intimate, and decidedly Parisian: high ceilings, good sightlines from almost anywhere on the floor, and a sound system that does justice to the breadth of acts that pass through here.

And that breadth is real.

One week it’s metal, the next it’s indie-pop, and then there’s a surprise DJ set for the release of the newest Justice album — et oui, that was one amazing experience!

It sits in that sweet spot between nightclub and concert hall, big enough to feel electric, but small enough that you’re never far from the stage. If you haven’t seen a live show here yet, put it on your list!

The venue sits right at the foot of the Butte Montmartre, so pair a show with dinner in the neighborhood beforehand. There are plenty of good options along Rue des Abbesses, and you’ll feel like a proper local for the evening.

Urbansider Tip: The nearest metro is Anvers (Line 2), a 2-minute walk away. And be sure to check the lineup and book ahead — tickets go fast!