2023-05-04 06:30:06
At the end of 2022, the first “fully premium” cinema opened its doors in the Montparnasse district. (photo credit: Getty Images)
Reclining seats, two meters between each row, laser projection… At the end of 2022, the first “entirely premium” cinema opened its doors in the Montparnasse district. The price of a full price seat costs 18.50 euros. Is the experience worth the price? Discovery.
To rekindle the desire to go to the cinema
The former Gaumont Parnasse, located at 3 rue Odessa between the Luxembourg Gardens and Montparnasse station, was transformed at the end of 2022 into Pathé Parnasse! To respond to the competition from streaming platforms and make viewers want to get off their sofa, the leading operator of dark rooms in France now offers a truly different cinema experience. It was necessary to react to the drop in attendance at cinemas due to health policy. In September 2022, the number of cinema admissions was only 7.38 million spectators, a decrease of 34.3% compared to September 2019.
A top-of-the-range service
Jérôme Seydoux, the great honcho of the Pathé group, is convinced of this: the increase in comfort and the modernization of the rooms will encourage spectators to come out of their burrow. The 12 screens that make up the complex are designed to offer a truly high-end cinema experience. They are equipped with fully reclining armchairs, with two meters between each row. In addition, the all-laser projection promises an exceptional technical experience. On the screen, the accentuated brightness allows the eye to capture the slightest detail. Dolby technology also fills your ears by creating a sound that travels. Also note the unpublished previews with screening of films before the official release, followed by an exchange with the film crew. This comfort comes at a cost:
18,50 euros
for the full price,
12,50 euros
The morning,
13,50 euros
for students and
7,50 euros
for children under 14 years old. You should know that the average price of a place in 2021 was
7,09 euros
. In addition, two thirds of spectators currently benefit from a reduced rate, according to the National Federation of French Cinemas (FNCF). It remains to be seen what those who have tested it think. Is the price difference worth it?
There are fans…
For Séverine (25) who loves action films: “It’s the best modern cinema! Even if the price is higher than the traditional cinema, the comfort and feeling are there!” Luc (43) remembers his discovery of the room: “The places are more expensive, but the seats are so much more comfortable. Indeed, they can lie down and give the possibility of raising the legs. They are also cozy. The rooms are very clean and the service is more professional. For a long movie like
Avatar,
definitely worth spending a few extra euros.” As for Caroline (53 years old), she liked it but gives you some advice: “I had a very good experience with this brand new and pleasant cinema. However, don’t make the mistake of taking the first row to get the sleeper seats. You quickly get a stiff neck looking at the screen. Take the upper row seats instead, as they can also stretch out with plenty of leg room.”
…And there are those who do not like
Joseph (60) is a movie buff. He liked the comfort of the room, but has a few caveats to add: “The premium cinema is really nice. However, I noted a few negative points. I find it a pity that there are no sessions in VF; the VOST is very good, but I think not everyone appreciates it. The smaller rooms are not very pleasant. We’re way too close to the screen. I think the people in the best position are those who are high up at the back of the room.”
Françoise (30) had an unpleasant experience: “I am very disappointed with the new Pathé Parnasse. The quality of the seats does not justify the price. The interior is very cold and soulless. There are only 2 tiny toilets upstairs. It is not enough to have huge rooms at the cutting edge of technology, the overall experience of the place must be pleasant. Finally, I am shocked by the state in which the public left the room after the session, but I do not blame the cinema for that. In any case I will not come back!”
As for Jérémy, an old regular at Gaumont Parnasse, he is not getting angry: “It was our neighborhood cinema for a long time! Admittedly, some of its rooms were small, but overall it was comfortable and offered a great cinematic experience in the heart of Paris. Today, it is luxurious and the new tariffs make it inaccessible. We will not pay 4 euros more for the place, in addition to the monthly subscription! What an amazing strategy at a time when the French no longer go to the cinema!”
MK2 and its hotel-cinema
MK2 has designed a unique place in the world, a
hotel-cinema
located at 135 boulevard Diderot, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. A stone’s throw from Place de la Nation, the 34 rooms and two cinema suites have been designed to be the best place to watch a film. They are all equipped with a laser video projector, a 3 meter wide screen and can be transformed into cinemas in a few seconds. On the roof terrace, the open-air cinema offers a breathtaking view of all of Paris. Count between
179 euros
the double room and
609 euros
the loft for 6 people.
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