Wonderful Modern Concert Hall on the Water
- Île Seguin ,
- 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
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Right at the bottom of the southwestern loop of the Seine, which nearly encircles the suburb (banlieue) of Boulogne-Billancourt and the 16th Arrondissement, lies the Île Seguin. And at the tip of this island in the Seine, you’ll find the silvery globe that is La Seine Musicale.
Designed by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, this Paris music venue has risen to near iconic status since opening in 2017, mirrored by the modern Philharmonic in the north of Paris by La Villette.
I stepped out of Paris’s Metro Line 9 at the terminus Pont de Sèvres, and followed the signs – and, to be honest, the crowds – to the venue. It was less than a 10-minute walk away.
I went to see George Ezra and the concert was in the main hall, called the Grande Seine, which holds up to 6,800 people. The auditorium is perfect for a concert – not too large, like those huge stadia where you can only follow the performance on the screens, but large enough for an atmosphere to develop.
Seating inside La Seine Musicale’s main auditorium. Photo by Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey.There is some standing room right in front of the stage, but mostly there is seating in a tiered manner, so that, if you are a little on the short side, like me, you can still see everything without having to jump up and down. Plus, you have the standing crowd in front of you, giving it additional ambience.
Apart from the Grand Seine, there is also the Auditorium used for classical concerts and other musical performances, and smaller events rooms, but generally, pop concerts of any kind are staged in this hall.
G3 concert at La seine Musicale in 2018. Photo by Alesa Gawlik.Entering and going through the security checks, I was allowed to bring my bottle of water, but they took away the top. Inside you can get various drinks, and simple snacks like you find in the cinema. Strangely enough though, beer is served in large plastic cups while wine and Champagne come in proper glasses. This is France, after all!
George Ezra in concert at La Seine Musicale in 2023. Photo by Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey.Upon leaving the superb concert (such fun!), the queues for the coat check were horrendous, whereas those of us who kept our coats on our seats quickly and easily got out and to the metro.
Since La Seine Musicale sits at the terminus of several bus lines as well as Metro Line 9, the getaway was fast and efficient.
Funnily enough, the Parc des Princes, the home of the Paris St Germain soccer team, is just two stops away Paris, and there happened to be a soccer game at the same time as the concert.
The football fans had to wait a long time to get on the metro though as the trains were already full of concertgoers. There are definite perks to hopping on at the final stop!
The Verdict? Great venue, perfect for pop concerts and those who aren’t too keen on crowds.
I recently visited La Seine Musicale for the first time and was absolutely blown away by the beautiful venue, fantastic sound system, and incredible atmosphere! The venue is situated on a barge on the River Seine, providing a unique and scenic backdrop for any event. The interior is modern and well-equipped, with numerous large HD screens and a professional sound system that produces amazing sound quality. The staff are friendly and welcoming, making it a pleasure to attend any event. I had the opportunity to see a fantastic show here featuring some of the biggest artists in France. The crowd was friendly and the atmosphere was electric, with everyone dancing and singing along to the music. I highly recommend La Seine Musicale as a fantastic destination for musical events in Paris.