Minors are allowed to go into bars if accompanied by an adult but they will not be served alcohol. Smaller towns tend to shut earlier. In major cities such as Paris, Lyon or Marseille, there are lively nightclubs that sometimes charge no entry fee, although drinks are likely to be more expensive. Alternatively, the entrance price sometimes includes a consommation of one drink. As an alternative to a nightclub, there are many late-night bars and cafes.
Tourist offices publish an annual and monthly diary of events available free of charge.
Several guides are also available which give information about entertainments and sightseeing in the capital. In the provinces the French generally spend the night eating and drinking, although in the more popular tourist areas there will be discos and dances. All weekend festivals in summer in the rural areas are a good form of evening entertainment. There are over 130 public casinos in the country. Arques, the home of Crystal D'Arques, is situated between St Omer and Calais, en route to most southern destinations.