Paris ― A Musical Gazetteer

This essential guidebook is designed for all travelers interested in exploring the historic musical sites of Paris—in person or from an armchair. Paris is a uniquely rich music capital, its streets echoing with centuries of great music that has been created and performed there. Virtually every neighborhood boasts a concert hall, church, museum, or home that has played a significant role in the extraordinary musical tradition of the city. This gazetteer will guide you to the important musical landmarks in Paris and explain why each is noteworthy.

Nearly all the celebrated French composers of the last four centuries have called Paris home, and dozens of other eminent composers—Chopin, Liszt, Mozart, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Verdi, and Wagner among them—have spent extended periods there as well. They, along with performers, teachers, instrument makers, and publishers, have bequeathed to the city a wealth of historic landmarks, ranging from the opulent grandeur of the Opéra to Erik Satie’s tiny room in Montmartre.

Featured in the gazetteer:
• biographical portraits of major composers, all their known Paris addresses and favorite meeting places, with the nearest Métro stops
• locations of monuments and graves of composers
• information on churches, theaters, concert venues, and important musical institutions
• listings of libraries, museums, and galleries holding materials related to music
• an index of locations, arranged by arrondissement and by street
• four recommended walking tours
• more than 120 contemporary and historical photographs

Nigel Simeone is lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Wales, Bangor.