Paris battles 'boring' image

Paris is battling to restore its "fun" reputation after closure of many nightspots / supplied Source: NEWS.com.au

PARIS is trying to restore its reputation as the "world capital of fun" after the closure of many of the city's nightspots led to it becoming known as the "City of Lights Out".

Club owners, DJs and bar bosses met with Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe to discuss why the home of cabarets and celebrity nightspots lost its festive soul, as a petition in support of livelier nightlife gathered 16,000 signatures.

“Paris risks becoming the European capital of sleep,” it said.

A lack of transport and talent, combined with high prices, contributed to the decline, but zealous regulators and noise-averse residents were also blamed.

“There are people who need the night for sleeping, and others who want to use it to party,” said Deputy Mayor Mao Peninou. “We have to organize a way in which these different nights can be lived together.”

The city plans to offer subsidies for soundproofing bars and was set to follow Barcelona’s example by using mediators and committees to handle complaints before they reach the police.

Another proposal was to use mime artists to persuade patrons to be quiet when they go outside in the street to smoke.

For the past year, event organizers, artists and fans have been at loggerheads with residents of the recently gentrified quarters around Pigalle, the Marais and the Bastille.

Police closed or suspended the licenses of several nightspots and started 45 proceedings last year, compared with just four in 2008.

“Our strong point is the little establishments," Peninou said.

"There are 850 open after 2:00am. The trouble is that they are in residential quarters."

Gerald Nanty, owner of a boutique near the Champs Elysees, said, “In the old days, the people going out were between 30 and 40. They were well-dressed, and they were witty. The old Parisian night is dead.”

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