My husband is afire to hear Jazz Manouche/Gypsy Jazz during our upcoming 10 days in Paris, and his newest yearning, announced this morning, is to sit in at some of the clubs where they let you do that. Assuming they're open Christmas week or so.

Since bringing his own "gypsy" guitar is impractical, any ideas on other ways to get his hands on one? I'm thinking rental or just see if he can borrow someone's at the club. He has a vision walking into a flea market and finding them lined up on a wall for a few centimes each. Or is it sous?

<i>He has a vision walking into a flea market and finding them lined up on a wall for a few centimes each.</i>

Doubtful. Googling "location instrument de musique paris" brings up this site: http://www.musiquelocation.fr/

Jazz Manouche only does Gypsy Jazz on Monday nights, and as far as I know doesn't invite drop-ins.

As for walking into a flea market and finding one, sounds like something that could easily eat up an entire Paris vacation, perhaps to no end. And it wouldn't be cheap even if you could find one.

I wouldn't count on borrowing one at a club, either. But of course anything is possible.

Thanks, Michael! That looks promising.

StCirq, there are several Paris clubs that play that style of music, and some of them do allow people to sit in, per their websites. No, I wouldn't count on those things, either. But he might have fun trying.

Stokebailey, I was talking specifically about the one that's actually called Jazz Manouche. I'm aware that there are others. I don't know what their "rules" are, but certainly here in DC there are plenty of clubs that allow folks to join in playing on certain nights, or depending on who's playing. I wouldn't plan a vacation around hunting down a guitar in flea markets, though...but that's just me.

For sure!

Possibly someone knows which of these clubs are more fun? There seem to be some in the 11th, not too far from where we're staying.

See opaldog's current trip report in which she describes a visit to La Chope des Puces, a club near the Porte de Clignancourt featuring jazz manouche.

http://www.lachopedespuces.fr/Accueil.html

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-barcelona.cfm

Here's another thread you might find helpful -

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-168954-2.cfm

There's a link to a good article about gypsy jazz spots in Paris.

Nice, MaineGG. I think that's the one Himself's buddy told him about. We'll have to visit that one, then. I had missed opaldog's report. Thank you!