Mixing with Music
Travel broadens the mind - how much more so if you can also have some worthwhile contact with "the locals". In a large city this can be difficult, but one solution is to go to places where music is the shared passion and can act a bridge across different nationalities and cultures. If you're in London or Paris, here's a selection of places to try.
606 Club. 90 Lots Road, London, SW10. Tel: 0207 352 5953 Good jazz and good food. The club has existed as a jazz club restaurant for 30 years and provides a platform for some of the finest British musicians. http://www.606club.co.uk/
100 Club. 100 Oxford Street, London W1. Tel: 0207 636 0953. The 100 club has been promoting live music on the same premises since 1942 and has a long and distinguished history as key venue on the London jazz scene. http://www.the100club.co.uk/
Dover Street Restaurant and Bar, 8-10 Dover Street Mayfair. Tel: 020 7491 7509. Set in the heart of Mayfair, The Dover Street Restaurant and Jazz Bar offers a combination of fine French/European cuisine and nightly live music ranging from Jazz & Blues to Latin & Soul with dancing to a resident DJ until 3.00 am. http://www.doverst.co.uk/
Jazz Live at the Crypt, St. Giles Church 81, Camberwell Church St. London, SE5 8RB. Tel: 0207 701 1016. The Crypt is host to some of the best live jazz events in the capital with top bands appear at the weekly Friday night sessions. All jazz tastes are catered for and its restaurant and bar are excellent value for money. http://www.jazzlive.co.uk/
Pizza Express, 10 Dean Street, London W1. Tel: 0207 439 8722 . Good atmosphere and good food, customers flock to the club to enjoy live jazz of the highest standard in a unique environment, and delicious pizza! http://www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzVenue.aspx
The Bulls Head, 373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London SW13. Tel: 020 8765241. One of the longest established jazz pubs in London. The Bull's Head by the River Thames is recorded as early as 1684. It is one of the oldest hostelries in Barnes. Since 1959 it has gained a world-wide reputation for modern jazz. Musicians from all over the world can be heard playing every night of the week as well as Sunday lunchtimes. http://thebullshead.com/
The Halfmoon, 93 Lower Richmond Rd, Putney, London SW15. Tel 020 8780 9383. This pub venue has hosted live music full time since 1963, with occasional performances dating back as far as the 1920s! From The Rolling Stones to Kasabian, Kate Bush to Natasha Bedingfield the venue is steeped in music heritage.
http://www.halfmoon.co.uk/index.html
Au Magique, 42, rue de Gergovie 75014 Paris. Tel : 01 45 42 26 10. Behind the scarlet facade of the Magique lies a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, where you can listen to singer-songwriters or music-hall every night of the week in the artistic tradition of Montparnasse. http://www.aumagique.com/
L'Attirail, 9, rue au Maire 75003 Paris. Tel: 01 42 72 44 42. Concerts most evenings with a programme made up of French chanson, world and rock music. Inexpensive drinks, open-minded customers and an attractive terrace in summer. http://www.lattirail.com/
Le Café Universel, 267 rue St Jacques 75005 Paris. Tel: 01 43 25 74 20. This little jazz-pub in the Latin Quarter organises live concerts every evening from 9.30pm and hosts vocal jams on Tuesdays for budding singers. Young, friendly atmosphere. http://www.cafe-universel.com/
L'Olympic Café, 20 rue Léon 75018 Paris. Tel: 01 42 52 29 93. Located in the popular Goutte d'Or district (18th), the Olympic Café hosts a varied programme of rock, jazz, rap etc.. http://www.rueleon.net/
Vissi d'Arte, 18 rue Brochant, 75017 Paris. Tel: 0158 59 22 90. Recently created by two young artists, this bar / performance venue is a meeting place for classical musicians and music fans with daily live performances by soloists and ensembles. http://www.vissidarte.fr/
Le Café de Flore, 172 boulevard Saint-Germain 75006 Paris Tel: 01 45 48 55 26. Le Café de Flore can claim to have been the heart of the Existentialist Movement during the early part of this century with Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Camus and others regularly meeting here. Every first Wednesday of the month at 7pm there is a philosophy debate in English. http://www.cafe-de-flore.com/indexa.htm
Accommodation
For a real taste of life in London or Paris consider a rental rather than a hotel. Not only will you have more space but for more than 2 people it's also likely to work out considerably cheaper.
Coach House Rentals has been in business since 2001 offering rentals in London and Paris. We specialise in letting the houses and apartments of residents who are away from the city. Go to our comprehensive web sites to see pictures and full descriptions of all our properties - 70 in London and 25 in Paris. There are also useful suggestions of what to see and do, including our recently updated 101 Things to do in Paris.
We can arrange a car to meet you at the airport - the easiest way to get into the city with heavy bags. An English speaking representative will meet you at your rental, show you in, tell you about the local area and answer any questions you may have. We also provide an English speaking telephone help line to deal with any problems you may have. Full details of the Coach House Rentals service, together with testimonials from many of our satisfied guests can be found at: Coach House London Rentals and Coach House Paris Rentals.
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