I am going to Paris and would love to hear Edith Piaf type music or accordian/cafe music. Any suggestions? Thanks.

The soundtrack to Amelie.

Any good CD shop should have a selection of Edith Piaff, there are many Piaff collections on CD. Also, look for French Chansons and dance hall collections in the world music racks. For contemporary recordings in the same tradition, look for Paris Combo, they are fabulous!

We didn't go there and don't know too much about it (or even whether it's still being performance), but there was a one-woman show by Evelyne Chancel, "Hommage a Edith Piaf," every Fruday evening at Le Bistrot de la GAite, 20 rue de la Gaite in the 14th Arr.

anybody in paris october '63 when she passed - I was, and it was a sad, melancholy time, with her music playing over and over in the bars and brasseries.

Thanks for the replys. I should have been more specific - I want to hear live music. Thanks again.

Anyone else?

Sally, try www.au-lapin-agile-com<BR>The lapin agile is a very old club.<BR>Also post on destinationparis on msn. Michel who owns the site lives there and is very knowledgeable.

I second Mimi's recommendation of Au Lapin Agile; it is reminiscent of by-gone days in Paris, as I imagine it to have been. You will enjoy yourself there.

sorry i misunderstood. Paris Combo is a French jazz group with a vintage sound, and does perform around France. We were in Paris several times and loved the city, but unfortunately stereotypical French bistro music is hard to find. The French are enamoured with American pop music, and it blares out from many public places, including restrooms. We did come across a tiny cafe near the flea market at the north end of the city that had live Django Rhineheart type guitar jazz. I think you may have to do some asking around when you get over there.

Au Lapin Agile might be suitable, it basically is for tourists now but many enjoy it. <BR><BR>For real French chanson (which isn't that common), it's best to get out of the central tourist areas. I know a few clubs that have it regularly or periodically in the 9th or Belleville. First, they have a piano bar called Le Sherwood at 3 rue Daunou in the 2nd (next to Harry's NY Bar) that has female singers, mainly jazz stds, but sometimes French standards.<BR><BR>Au Limonaire in the 9th has real French chanson, a variety of different kinds of performers -- their web site has schedules and descriptions http://limonaire.free.fr <BR><BR>I seem to see more of what I consider authentic French chanson but is more acoustic music, folksong with guitar (male singers, like Renaud), more than female singers and accordions. This kind of music can be at various clubs or restaurants such as La Chouette in the 19th, Le Balbuzar Cafe in the 10th, Pari's Aller Retour on rue Turenne in the 4th, for a few places. A guy named Mercelot plays that way and is at La Chouette on 9/21 and he does have an accordion from his website which will give other concert dates (membres.lycos.fr/mercelot)<BR><BR>In Belleville (metro Pyrenees), Le Vieux Belleville at 12 rue des Envierges has regular French sing-alongs on many nights (I think Fri is accordion, Tu and Sat maybe but might be guitar, I've read both). There is also a nearby cafe Chez Cosette that has live music, but I think Celtic.<BR><BR>For info on Belleville cafes with music, see http://www.parissi.com/ultrag/bellev...itovillage.htm and click on "ginguette" on the right column. There should be a description of Le Vieux Belleville in there.<BR><BR>You didn't say when you are going, but a French performer Mathieu Rosaz is doing a "Barbara" revue/hommage at Theatre du Renard in the Marais in November. I like her better than Piaf.

I am tentatively planning a visit in February. Thanks to everyone for the detailed information.