L'Épée de Bois: an art-house cinema in central Paris

It's in this former theater on rue Mouffetard, in Paris's 5th arrondissement, that you'll find this little neighborhood cinema. L'Epée de Bois, classified as an art house cinema, offers second-run films that you might not have had time to see in theaters. With a program generally centered on French and European films, you'll also find auteur films and sometimes even heritage films. Take advantage of its "extended" screenings, so you don't have to chase after all the films you'd like to see as soon as they come out. All films are shown in their original version, with the exception of certain animated films for young audiences shown on Wednesday afternoons.

L'Epée de Bois is also a place of exchange, with ciné-débats organized several times a year on different themes: eloquence, homeopathy, pregnancy... In addition to these activities, this independent Parisian cinema is one of the partners of the Télérama festival, which returns every year, particularly the one for children.

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• Top cinemas in Paris

A small local cinema with two screens, seating around 130 people, where in the same street you'll find the Mohamed Arkoun library, ideal for the more literary among us. A 3-minute walk from the cinema is theEglise Saint Médard, a historic monument dating from the 12th century. And 350 metres further on, visit the famous Place de la Contrescarpe and its theater. Alternatively, just stroll along rue Mouffetard to browse the many stalls on offer at Marché Mouffetard, including fresh produce, meat and fish. The choice is yours!