La Boule Noire

La Boule Noire is a small concert venue in the Montmartre district of Paris, at 120 Boulevard de Rochechouart in the 18th arrondissement. It's a place where local history and live music overlap: people have gathered here around song for more than two centuries, even if what "gathering around song" meant has changed a great deal over the years.

Where does the name come from?

The venue traces back to 1822, when a goguette was founded in the then-village of Montmartre. A goguette was a common type of 19th-century French singing society, where neighbourhood residents met to sing together and socialise. An ornamental portico was built over the entrance, topped with a glass ball used as a sign. Originally white, the ball gradually darkened with city grime over the decades — giving the place its name, "La Boule Noire," the Black Ball, which stuck even as the building and its interior changed hands and looks many times since.

What's the venue like inside?

The room still carries a 1970s-style look and holds around 200 people — a small capacity by Paris standards, and part of what makes the venue distinctive. Crowds stand close to the stage, close enough to feel a direct connection with the performers that's hard to get in larger halls. Since 1990, La Boule Noire has been run by its neighbour La Cigale, one of the best-known concert halls in Paris, which keeps the venue's programming steady and varied throughout the year.

What kind of music plays here?

The lineup spans rock, pop, rap, electronic music, jazz and world music. The venue has long functioned as a discovery stage, hosting some artists early in their careers before they moved on to bigger rooms. Acts that have played La Boule Noire include Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age, Cat Power, Phoenix, The Libertines, Manu Chao and Yael Naim.

How do you get there?

The venue sits right in the heart of Montmartre, a few minutes' walk from the Anvers and Pigalle metro stations, surrounded by other music clubs, bars and cafés typical of this corner of the 18th arrondissement. It works equally well as a stand-alone evening out or as one stop on a longer walk around Sacré-Cœur and Pigalle — both are easy to combine with a visit in a single afternoon or evening.

When's the best time to visit?

The concert schedule changes week to week, so it's worth checking the lineup before planning a trip. The venue doesn't take phone reservations — tickets are usually bought online in advance or at the door if any remain. Because the room is small, shows by well-known acts tend to sell out quickly, so it's best not to leave ticket-buying to the last minute for anything popular.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people does La Boule Noire hold? The venue has a capacity of around 200 people, making it one of the more intimate concert spaces in Paris.

Where does the venue's name come from? It refers to the glass ball decorating the portico above the entrance, which darkened from white to black over time due to city grime.

Who runs the venue? Since 1990, La Boule Noire has been operated by its neighbour La Cigale, one of the most recognised concert halls in Paris.

What kind of music does it host? The programming covers rock, pop, rap, electronic music, jazz and world music, with an emphasis on variety and discovering new acts.

What's the easiest way to get there? By metro, to either Anvers or Pigalle station — both are only a few minutes' walk from the entrance through Montmartre.