Must-see entertainment in Southwest France

  • Le Lieu Unique

    Nantes

    Within the one-time LU biscuit factory (crowned by an iconic angel-sculpted, domed tower, which you can ascend for €2), this industrial-chic lieu unique …

  • La Grande Poste

    Bordeaux

    Admire the art-deco domed ceiling and original octagonal windows of this former post office, telephone and telegraph centre where Bordelais once queued to…

  • Bordeaux Métropole Arena

    Bordeaux

    Up to 11,300 spectators can fit in Bordeaux's sparkling new arena, a curvaceous white 'pebble' designed by French architect Rudy Ricciotti, 5km south of…

  • La Guinguette Chez Alriq

    Bordeaux

    For summertime music on the Rive Droite, there is no finer spot than this seasonal guinguette (open-air dance hall), with a couple of bars, casual food…

  • La Sirène

    La Rochelle

    La Rochelle's premier concert venue and nightclub, 10km west of the Vieux Port, blasts out everything from hip hop, funk and metal to world music, punk,…

  • Le Fiacre

    Bordeaux

    A longstanding veteran of 20-odd years on the drinking and music scene, Le Fiacre continues to pull in the crowds with its live rock concerts and…

  • Le Bistrot du Caillou

    Bordeaux

    Catch live jazz, blues and world music at this garden-styled cafe-bistro, next to the Botanical Gardens on the Rive Droite (Right Bank). Kudos for its…

  • Mélocotton

    Nantes

    This café concert is just that – a cosy and eclectic space for lounging over drinks and live jazz, soul, funk and electro from around 9pm. On Tuesday…

  • Trinquet St-André

    Bayonne

    Hidden down a backstreet, this atmospheric trinquet (indoor court) stages main nue pelota (bare-hand pelota) matches under an impressive timber-framed…

  • Rock School Barbey

    Bordeaux

    Catch live bands at Rock School Barbey, funky host to a stream of up-and-coming French and international indie bands. Admission prices vary depending on…

  • Le Bikini

    Toulouse

    This concert hall has been vibrating with the sounds of rock, pop, world music and DJ sets for more than 30 years. It's at the southern end of metro line…

  • Grand Théâtre

    Bordeaux

    Designed by Victor Louis (of Chartres Cathedral fame), this grand 18th-century theatre stages operas, ballets and concerts of orchestral and chamber music.

  • Le Cri de la Mouette

    Toulouse

    Party hard on a converted canal boat, with regular electro, disco and rock nights. Check its website for events (timings vary depending on the gig).

  • Auditorium

    Bordeaux

    Music concerts embracing all genres – classical, jazz, blues, world music, orchestral performances – take to the stage at this concert hall.

  • La Luna Negra Music

    Bayonne

    Down an alley in the old town, this venerable late-night cabaret venue serves up a mixed program of comedy, world music, salsa and live jazz.

  • Rest'ô Jazz

    Toulouse

    Catch live jazz at this slinky, speakeasy-style bar-restaurant with a tasty (though rather pricey) menu of fish and meat dishes (from €42). Certain events…

  • Stade du Hameau

    The Pyrenees

    The Stade du Hameau is the home arena to Pau’s rugby team, Section Paloise, as well as Pau FC, the city's semi-pro football club. The 18,000-seat arena is…

  • Jaï Alaï St-Jean de Luz

    St-Jean de Luz

    In summer, frequent pelota matches take place at Jaï Alaï St-Jean de Luz, 1km northeast of the train station. The tourist office can supply times and…

  • Cinéma Katorza

    Nantes

    This art-house cinema screens the latest in foreign and alternative films, many in VO (version original; original language). To save cents, come on…

  • Marché de Lerme

    Bordeaux

    Occasional art exhibitions and cultural happenings are held in this former covered market hall, an eye-catching glass-and-iron structure designed by…

  • Théâtre Femina

    Bordeaux

    Plays, dance performances, variety shows and concerts. Buy tickets in advance at the box office inside Galerie Bordelaise.

  • Box Office

    Bordeaux

    For theatre tickets and tickets for concerts, gigs and so on, head to this ticket office inside Bordeaux's covered shopping gallery, Galerie Bordelaise.

  • Parc des Sports d'Aguiléra

    Biarritz

    Biarritz' stadium, 2km east of the centre, is home to the local rugby team, Olympique, and hosts professional pelota matches in the complex.

  • Parc Mazon

    Biarritz

    From July to mid-September, the open-air fronton (pelota court) has regular matches. Ask at the tourist office for match times.

  • Cinéma Le Méliès

    The Pyrenees

    Non-dubbed films screen regularly at Cinéma Le Méliès, which is set in an old church.

  • Théâtre Graslin

    Nantes

    Constructed in 1788, neoclassical Théâtre Graslin is home to the Nantes-Angers Opera.

  • La Coursive

    La Rochelle

    World-music concerts, non-dubbed art films, theatre and dance performances.

  • Casino Municipal

    The Pyrenees

    Pau’s casino is in the sumptuous Palais Beaumont, in Parc Beaumont.

  • Stade Ernest-Wallon

    Toulouse

    Toulouse is a city that lives or dies by the fortunes of its rugby team, Stade Toulousain, who have won the European Cup a record four times (most…

  • Le Port de la Lune

    Bordeaux

    Check online for the line-up of gigs at this dark, atmospheric jazz club.