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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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 CITY OF SLEEP? 
2

Au Revoir, Paris Nightlife

Noise ordinances strangle once-legendary music and party scene

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(Newser) – Paris, a city whose decadent nightlife was once the stuff of legend, is looking more like a museum these days: pretty, quiet, and closed at night. Gentrification of former party neighborhoods has brought an influx of residents unwilling to put up with noise; resulting noise ordinances have caused music venues to shut down, lose their licenses, and pay hefty fines. Urgent action is needed to save the city's nightlife, says a petition by the electronic music industry.

The City of Light is turning into the "European capital of sleep" according to the petitioners, who demand public funding for high-quality soundproofing, the Guardian reports. But soundproofing may be too little, too late to stop a drain of talent: Many French musicians and DJs have already decamped for Berlin or London.

View of the French cabaret
View of the French cabaret "Le Moulin Rouge" that celebrates its 120th anniversary, in Paris, Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A photograph showing eyes, part of the exhibition
A photograph showing eyes, part of the exhibition "Women are Heroes" by French photographer JR, is seen on the Quai d'Anjou on the Ile Saint Louis in Paris, early Sunday Oct. 4, 2009 in Paris.   (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
21st January 1980:  The neon lights of the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris which opened in 1890.
21st January 1980: The neon lights of the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris which opened in 1890.   (Getty Images)
1956:  Dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Paris performing with balloons and a tank of water.
1956: Dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Paris performing with balloons and a tank of water.   (Getty Images)
3rd February 1926:  Dancer Edmonde Guydens dancing at the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris in a costume made of lace.
3rd February 1926: Dancer Edmonde Guydens dancing at the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris in a costume made of lace.   (Getty Images)
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stuck-in-paris
Nov 5, 09 11:02 AM CST
Paris is a museum city, and thats how the French like it. Progress here is painful. Reply
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divetrader
Nov 5, 09 5:59 PM CST
Oh man..that sucks! Then again, I hate putting up with noise where I live too. Reply
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