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Tanzen in Paris 
The regulars…
The 14 July is Bastille Day, the French national holiday, and it’s a celebration that gets the whole of Paris dancing at a multitude of popular – and often free - dances. The biggest of all, drawing thousands of people, takes place at the Bastille itself (4th) and boasts internationally-famous performers, and some of the other arrondissements organise theirs too. Above all though, don’t miss the firemen’s balls, held in some of the city’s fire stations. From Paris or abroad, people of all ages flock here to kick up their heels until late into the night. On these evenings, the music can vary widely from accordion to waltz, and from slow dances to wild and woolly rock! See What's on and www.paris.fr -Swing at the Caveau de la Huchette The first club to stage jazz following the Liberation of Paris, the Caveau de la Huchette welcomes dancers from all over the world since 1946. It awaits you in its vaulted cellar (where the Knights Templar formerly assembled) to get you moving to bebop, early rock, Dixieland or boogie-woogie. Immensely popular with regulars and visitors to the city, this is a swinging Paris hot spot. Le Caveau de la Huchette 5, rue de la Huchette (5e) 01 43 26 65 05 www.caveaudelahuchette.fr -Elysée Montmartre balls Every two weeks (on Saturdays), the trendy venue that is the Elysée Montmartre (18th) hosts a ball. Neither a nightclub nor a traditional French dance, these affordable evenings (15 euros) are a kind of big enjoyable get-together drawing a whole range of people. Come along to trip the light fantastic to the sound of songs from any time between 1955 and 1995, performed and sung by a talented and colourful band. Parisians of all ages are great fans. L’Elysée Montmartre 72, bd de Rochechouart (18e) 01 42 23 46 50 www.elyseemontmartre.com
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Wherever in the world you may be, dance is a universal language which breaks through the barriers and allows residents and visitors to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Paris is no exception to the rule and be it tango, salsa, traditional dances, bebop, folk or an outdoor knees-up, you can happily dance together without the need for conversation, especially when the dances involve a group of people and the more experienced participants will help you to put your best foot forward!
-Bastille Day balls