Cinéma Le Rex

Blois is best known for its royal château on a rock above the Loire, and the town also has a modern cultural life of its own, which includes its cinemas. Le Rex is a local film theatre in Blois that serves residents more than tourists, and a visit works like going to any cinema in a French town.

French cinema-going is a living tradition, and the country has one of the densest networks of cinemas in the world, many of them single-screen or small-screen theatres in the centres of towns. Independent cinemas often carry the label art et essai, which recognises films of artistic quality, classics and foreign work, and many of them show foreign films in the original version with French subtitles, marked VO in the programme, which is useful for visitors who want to watch a film in its original language. Screenings are held at set times in the afternoon and evening, listed by day on the cinema's website or on posters at the entrance, and there are usually reduced prices for students, young people and seniors, and on certain days of the week. It is a good idea to check the schedule on the day, since programmes change weekly, normally on Wednesday.

A cinema visit is a good way to spend a wet evening in Blois, after a day of sightseeing. The town has a lot to see during the day. The Château de Blois, with its famous François I staircase and the rooms where the Duke of Guise was murdered in 1588, is the main attraction. The Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin, opposite the château, honours the magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, who was born in Blois in 1805, with a facade where dragons appear and roar on the hour. The Cathédrale Saint-Louis stands on the hill, the Jardin des Plantes is a pleasant green space, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which is housed in the château, and the Musée de la Nature are worth visiting. The Mémorial de la France combattante is a short distance away. In autumn the town hosts the Rendez-vous de l'histoire, a large festival of history with lectures and debates.

If you plan an evening at the cinema, buy tickets at the box office or online, and arrive a little before the film starts, particularly for new releases and weekend shows. Prices and programme change weekly, so check the website. The cinema suits residents and visitors who want a quiet, local evening out.