Le Grand Rex

Going to the cinema during your visit to Paris might not top of your list of things to do, but Le Grand Rex is certainly not your everyday cinema.

Histoire

Le Grand Rex was opened in 1932 and is the oldest cinema in Paris. It has a long and interesting history, from its opening night on the 8th of December 1932, attended by a ritzy, glitzy list of 3,300 VIPs, to its occupation by the German soliders, who used it as a place to watch propaganda films.

The building is decorated in a typical art deco style, whilst the inside, particularly the 'Grande Salle' - the biggest room, which also boasts the biggest screen in Europe - is a mixture of art deco and baroque style.

Le Grand Rex is also home to a night club - Rex Club - which is attached to the building and is right next door. However, in the many times I've visited, this has never caused an issue with regards noise.

Viewing Experience

If you're a bit of a film buff, you probably won't be impressed by the facilities Le Grand Rex has to offer. The screens are small and the seating isn't brilliantly arranged. I can't remember how many screens there are, but it is in the region of about 6 or 7, not including the Grande Salle. The rooms do all differ, some are better than others. Some even include pretty lights on the ceiling and other interesting décor. The equipment is certainly not top of the range, so neither sound nor screen quality is brilliant, so it's probably best to watch a visually stunning film, whose special effects are meant to be enjoyed on the big screen, elsewhere...such as the aforementioned Grande Salle.

Admittedly, I've never watched a film in this room, but I did accidently walk in trying to find my way to another room and it is an amazing room. Still not as impressive technology wise as some of your state-of-the-art cinemas, but definitely a very enjoyable atmosphere to watch a film in, with good seating and a VERY large screen (21 metres by 11 metres to be precise).

Although badly arranged, the seating in the other rooms is certainly not the most uncomfortable seating I've ever sat it in a cinema. However, slight niggle - there aren't any cup holders should choose to purchase a beverage.

Which brings me to...

Refreshments

If you're the kind of cinema goer, as I am, who enjoys a snack at the cinema, I strongly advise you to bring your own. The food and drink on sale here is very expensive and certainly not worth the hefty price tag. A decent-sized popcorn set me back around 8 euros, and when I say 'decent', I mean one up from the one for children. It's also fair to say that it tasted like cardboard.
Asides from popcorn they also sell drinks and a selection of sweets and chocolates - Malteasers, Haribo and the like. All of which are, again, overpriced (although quality is assured).

Facilities

Strangely, in all my visits to this cinema, I don't think I once used the toilets here. Needless to say, I have friends, both male and female, who did and who assured me that they were to a reasonable standard.

In terms of facilities for disabled or hard of hearing visitors, the information on the website is rather unhelpful. However, I would guess that such facilities are limited, especially given that several of the rooms can only be reached by negotiating awkward corridors and stairs.

Prices

A trip to Le Grand Rex is certainly not cheap, but then, none of the cinemas in Paris are, and this one definitely offers something in the way of history and ambience. Concessions are available for under 12s, over 60s and students. The price is also lower if you visit before midday. The Grande Salle costs more, the full price tickets being 9€ for the Grande Salle and 7.30€ for the ordinary rooms.

Les Etoiles du Rex

Since this is no ordinary cinema, an 'interactive' visit behind the scenes is available - with audio guides in English, French, Italian and Spanish. The tours last 50 minutes and are something which I have not experienced. A tour on its own costs 9€ although if you chose to purchase a film ticket with it, you pay 14.80€.

A guided tour of Le Grand Rex AND the Etoiles du Rex interative tour will take 1h50 and will set you back 15.50€. I don't think that it is necessary to reserve, unless of you course there is a large group of you.

Events

Every year, the cinema is home to the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival. The cinema also holds film nights, such as Star Wars nights. I notice that a Fast and the Furious film night is coming up. Information about these can be found on the website.

Getting there

You cannot miss this building, it sticks out like a very interesting, yet sore thumb amongst the Haussman-style Parisian buildings that line a lot of Grands Boulevards.

It's located on Boulevard Poissonnière in the 2nd arrondissement (district) and is served by the metro station Bonne Nouvelle on lines 8 and 9. Parking is also available on Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, and though I don't have any information on prices, I would be surprised if this parking were free.

Recommendation

For anyone in Paris long enough to take time out of sight-seeing to watch a film, Le Grand Rex is definitely worth a visit, especially if you manage to catch something good in the Grande Salle.

It's worth mentioning that in 7 months I never saw a film playing in English - all films are dubbed into French (as opposed to other cinemas which sometimes play the film in English with French subtitles). However, I did read something that they do claim to sometimes show films in their original version, so that might be worth looking out for.

This was my local cinema, so I frequented it often. However, if I was planning on watching a decent action film with good special effects, I went a little further out of my way to another cinema. The same applied for when I felt like giving my French a break and watching a film in its original version for once.

However, if you think that your French is up to the challenge, and are appreciative of old cinemas and/or baroque/art deco, Le Grand Rex may just be worth a visit.