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Jazz à la Villette

I am thinking about traveling to Paris in early September, but want to avoid any big events that would increase hotel prices, make restaurant reservations more difficult, etc. The Jazz à la Villette festival runs during the dates I am interested in visiting. Is anyone familiar with this festival? Should I avoid visiting while it is going on?

Posted by
4684 posts

Paris is big enough that no single event of that nature will have a big impact on hotel costs. Possibly very close to the venue, but said venue is on the edge of the centre and not somewhere most tourists will want to stay.

Posted by
4023 posts

A couple of years ago I saw Chuchu Valdes (with Sonny Baron) in the Grande Halle de la Villette. Built as an abattoir, with lots of wrought iron, it is now a multi-use hall, so the tiered seating was temporary and not plush. The friendly atmosphere had only one security concern – no beer inside the auditorium. Otherwise the patrons were left to themselves. Some sat in the walkways but did not block access. The audience were treated like adults and behaved likewise, showing great respect for performers whose main language was Spanish. It was great to see Paris live up to its reputation as a living jazz city.

The music museum in the vicinity is also worth a visit.

Hotel availability last year, and probably this, has been helped (sorry to use that word) by assorted strife. Last July I was surprised at the prices, at least a third lower than the equivalent in London.

https://jazzalavillette.com/en/pratical-infos

(Note the program list is from last year.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_halle_de_la_Villette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cit%C3%A9_de_la_Musique#Mus%C3%A9e_de_la_Musique

Posted by
9460 posts

September is the most costly time for hotels in Paris, but not because of Jazz a la Villette. Check the dates for the September fashion shows — which are usually late in the month, I believe. Those do lead to price hikes and booked-up restaurants. Those and the car show (but it doesn’t start until Oct 1). . .

Posted by
1329 posts

A few years ago I stayed near La Villette because I was there for a concert. It was the Mercure in Pantin. It was close to the metro and one of the nicest Mercures I have stayed in.