WHAT'S ON

From film festivals to marionette theatres, France has a rich and varied culture and arts scene waiting to be discovered. Here's a quick guide to finding out what's on near you.

As a starting point, the French government's culture portal (in French) is a good place to look for news, listings and latest events. Evene.fr also lists cultural events across the whole of France, from book festivals to music and dance performances.

FILM

Ever since the Lumière brothers pioneered the cinématographe in the late 19th century, the French have enjoyed an enduring love affair with the movies. France, and in particular, Paris, is the perfect place to indulge your passion for the silver screen.

In Paris alone there are almost 400 screens, 150 of which are independently owned. Alongside the inevitable Hollywood blockbusters, French cinemas offer a balance of international films, retrospectives, arthouse, shorts and documentaries.

You're more likely to find old English or American classics in Paris than anywhere else. If your French isn't fluent, many foreign films are shown in their original language - just look for screenings in version originale (v.o).

Check the weekly listings magazine Pariscope (in French) to find out what's on in cinemas around the capital. For the rest of France, you can find reviews and listings and book tickets online through AlloCine. The cinema pages of the Ministry of Culture's website (in French) also have a useful interactive map.

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THEATRE

From avant-garde street performances to the Comédie Française and the Avignon Festival, France has much to offer in the way of theatre. Few theatre venues in France subtitle their performances. There are, however, a number of Anglophone theatre companies that cater to English-speaking audiences.

To find out what's on near you and book tickets, try Theatre online or the FNAC website (both in French).The French version of the Yellow Pages also has theatre listings.

VISUAL ARTS

Whether you want to gaze into a Monet landsape or explore the contemporary arts scene, Time Out Paris lists all the top exhibitions in the French capital.

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