La Seine Musicale

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 live 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 stadiums where you can only follow the performance on the screens, but large enough for an atmosphere to develop.

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 ambiance.

Apart from the Grand Seine, there is also the Auditorium used for classical concerts and other musical performances, and smaller event rooms, but generally, pop concerts of any kind are staged in this hall.

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! 

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 Paris 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, 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.