La Cigale Concert Venue

An innovative concert hall located next to La Boule Noire in Pigalle, La Cigale has been around since 1887.

As a cabaret in its early years, La Cigale hosted performers like Maurice Chevalier, Max Linder, Mistinguett, and Jean Cocteau held avant-garde soirées.

In the 1940s, La Cigale metamorphosed into a popular cinema, specializing in kung fu flicks in the '70s and later in X-rated films.

Jacques Renault and Fabrice Coat, confounders of legendary nightclub Les Bains Douches, took over La Cigale in the late '80s. Philippe Starck redecorated the interior, and it reopened in 1987. French punk rock group Les Rita Mitsouko played the inaugural show.

Since then, performers at La Cigale have included French stars like Johnny Hallyday, Noir Désir, and Les Wampas as well as international acts like Kylie Minogue, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Placebo. Les Inrockuptibles' music fest, theatrical sketches, and runway shows by Jean-Paul Gaultier and Comme des Garçons have also taken place at La Cigale.

The venue features a flat, white exterior with high porthole windows and a traditional, velvety red theater interior. It can accommodate 900 people sitting or 1,500 standing. Drinks are available at La Cigale's bar, or patrons can go next door to Café la Cigale (www.cafelacigale.com); the Costes family opened the modern rock'n'roll-style bar/restaurant in 2010.