Kiosque Culture: almost any show in Paris for half the price
As one of the world’s leading cultural centers, the city’s entertainment calendar is so rich that you can barely take two turns without crashing a performance. We may be exaggerating, but Parisians love the arts, and theater is no exception. Catching a play during your stay is never a bad idea, whether it’s a classic at the Comédie Française, a radically contemporary adaptation at La Colline, or anything in between.
The same experience at a fraction of the price
It pays to be spontaneous, because on the day of the performance, you can buy tickets in the best category at half price. All you have to do is go to the Kiosque Culture next to the Madeleine church and get a ticket for one of the 150 or so shows on offer, including plays, musicals, comedy shows and improv, large productions and intimate performances in cafés, some of them even in English.
You can pick your fancy from the online schedule, or show up and tell the box office clerk what you’re in the mood for. They’ll then suggest a play to your liking. And yes, ALL tickets are 50% off (plus a 3.50 euro handling fee). There’s no catch. It’s simply a great way to get more culture for less.
Address and locations
There are three such kiosks in total, but the Montparnasse and Marais sites are currently closed.
Kiosque Culture
Place de la Madeleine (on the left side of the church when coming from Place de la Concorde)
8th arrondissement
Métro: Madeleine (8, 12, 14)
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-7.30pm, Sun 12.30pm-3.45pm
Other ways to enjoy a play for less
Sometimes ticket prices plummet when there’s a big sports game. If you’re not into sports, this is an excellent opportunity to see an almost private performance for almost nothing.
Avant-premieres and premieres are sometimes discounted as well.
Some theaters offer ‘youth seats’ for anyone under 26. These are first or second category seats for as little as 10 euros.
Every Monday, people under 28 can pick up free tickets for the Comédie Française at the Rue de Richelieu box office one hour before the performance. Note that these seats have a limited view.
Senior citizens and the unemployed may also qualify for discounts. Check directly with the theater.
One last thing
The best way to experience a city is the local way. Not just for cultural events, but for everything. With your personalized guide, you get access to local favorites and insider locations that are unknown to tourists. All you have to do is take a few minutes to fill out our form and we’ll do the rest. Get your personalized guide here.
