-Art house cinema

Paris, capital of the silver screen, boasts 372 cinemas including 89 in the art house category. It is also the leading city worldwide for the number of foreign films shown in their original language. These typically-Parisian cinemas, some with cosy bars suitable for discussions and debates, schedule film club sessions where you can exchange points of view and impressions. The Pagode draws us into a Far-Eastern setting, the Balzac takes us on a cruise and the Studio 28 is, according to Jean Cocteau, who designed the chandeliers in 1928, “a cinema of masterpieces and a masterpiece of a cinema”.

Studio 28 28 rue Tholozé 75018 Paris. Evenings with aperitif-quiz on a cinema theme, dinner and film accompanied by the actors, approximately twice a month. www.cinemastudio28.com.

L’Arlequin 75, rue de Rennes 75006 Paris 01 45 44 28 80 Film club on Sundays at 11am

La Pagode 57, bis rue de Babylone 75007 Film club one Saturday per month at 11am programme on www.ligueparis.org

Le Balzac 1 rue Balzac 75008 Paris www.lebalzac.com

-Le Studio Galande

For more than 20 years now, the legendary Rocky Horror Picture Show has topped the bill at the Studio Galande (5th). The only cinema in France to show the film, this cinema awaits you every Saturday at 10.10pm for a wild and wonderful interactive show where the spectacle spills over into the auditorium: spectators dance, throw rice and water, and join in the songs from the soundtrack…

Studio Galande 42, rue Galande 75005 Paris www.sweet-transvesties.com (in French and English).

-Ciné-club des artisans

Twice every quarter, on the initiative of the local authorities, an artisan tapestry-maker in Paris’s 11th arrondissement opens his studio for a film-club session preceded by a short film. In the interval, there will be time for exchanging impressions, a drink and a snack. NB: remember to bring a chair!

5, cité de l’Ameublement (11e)

More details under Paris with Parisians/Events.

-“A short lesson in cinema”

One Thursday each month at 7pm, the Pavillon de l’Arsenal will screen short films and documentaries, of which Paris or the suburbs will be either the subject or the setting. Each screening will be followed by encounters with architects and cinema-industry professionals. Free admission according to availability of seats, booking recommended on 01 42 76 33 97 and on infopa@pavillon-arsenal.com.

21, boulevard Morland (4e) Métro : Sully-Morland ou Bastille www.pavillon-arsenal.com

-La Cinémathèque Française

This institution has had a big makeover since it moved to the site of the former American Center, built by Frank Gehry, in Bercy park (12th arrondissement), at the end of 2005. Today it is a real treasure trove for movie buffs: retrospectives, debates with visiting guest speakers, lectures, series of screenings, tributes to…etc. See the Cinémathèque’s website for the full programme of events. 51 rue de Bercy (12e) M° Bercy Tel.: 01 71 19 33 33

www.cinematheque.fr

-Special initiatives

The Printemps du Cinéma (18-20 March in 2007 ) is for those who just can’t get enough of cinema, as all films in their original languages or in French can be viewed for 3.50 €, in participating cinemas.

www.printempsducinema.com

3 days, 3 euros: organised by the Paris City Council, this softens the impact for those returning from holiday as it takes place at the end of the month of August. You can bring yourself up to date with films, over three days, for 3€ per film, in all Parisian cinemas.

www.paris.fr

-and all year...

It is worth knowing that films on Monday and/or on Wednesday, as well as those screened before midday benefit from a reduced-rate tariff; full information can be found in the weekly Pariscope and l'Officiel des Spectacles.