Académie de Billard 84 rue de Clichy in Paris France
A large part of the Académie de Billard’s charm is its unlikely location. Set amid the neon and bustle of Clichy, stepping into this snooker hall is like crossing into a late-nineteenth-century gentleman’s salon. Spread over two high-ceilinged rooms, it’s sumptuously spacious and kitted out with period features. By day, an enormous stained-glass ceiling bathes the tables in a lagoon of light, while at night, vintage lamps radiate a warm yellow glow. Staff in waistcoats and bow-ties dart elegantly between tables to deliver your drinks, but despite the grandeur, a relaxed atmosphere prevails. The crowd range from young Montmartre pool sharks to older regulars with their own mahogany lockers. There are plenty of options ,with full-size snooker and a good number of British and American pool tables, but the pièce de résistance has to be the five beautifully maintained French billiard tables – yes, they have no pockets, but that’s the real challenge. Waiting times are usually short and the prices are reasonable (though you’ll need photo ID).
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Photo credit: © Oliver Knight / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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