Looking for an outing that beats bowling and gets everyone cheering at the first bullseye? Axe throwing in Paris ticks every box. One hour of play, a throw you learn in five minutes, friendly competition and that sharp thud of the blade sinking into the wood. Here is how a session works, what it costs, which groups it suits best and what to check before you book.
The activity comes from Canada, where it has become a real sport with leagues and championships. In Paris, it has settled into dedicated venues, often with a bar, that turned it into a group outing anyone can enjoy. No need for lumberjack arms, technique matters far more than strength.
How an axe throwing session works
An axe throwing session in Paris lasts one hour, briefing included. You arrive, a coach walks you through the safety rules, then shows you the throw. You hold the axe with two hands or one, raise it above your head, take a step forward and release without flicking your wrist. The first throws often bounce off the target, which is normal, it takes three or four tries to find the right distance.
The target looks like a giant wooden dartboard, with rings that score more points the closer you get to the centre. Once you have the throw down, the coach starts the games, duels, scored rounds or variants where you aim for a specific zone. Some venues also offer other objects to throw, axes of different weights, throwing stars or even a shovel, which keeps things lively towards the end of the session.
The group splits up by target, with two or three players per lane throwing in turn. So you do not spend your hour waiting, everyone throws dozens of times during the session.
How much axe throwing costs in Paris
The budget sits between 19 and 27 euros per person for one hour in the Paris venues we checked. The price is degressive depending on the number of players per target, you pay more per head with two than with three, because the venue is really charging for the lane.
| Setup | Indicative price per person | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 players per target | About 27 euros | Date, pair of friends |
| 3 players per target | About 19 to 22 euros | Group of friends, birthday |
| Group of 10 to 30 people | 19 to 27 euros, several targets | Bachelor or bachelorette party, afterwork |
| More than 30 people | On quote | Team building, private hire |
| Unusual objects option | About 5 euros extra | To spice up the end of the session |
Add drinks if you stay at the bar afterwards, they are never included in the base price. For a group of friends, the smart move is to fill each target with three people, that is where the price per head is gentlest.
Two verified venues in Paris
To keep this guide concrete, here are two Paris venues whose details we checked on their official websites. Others exist, especially in the inner suburbs, these are not the only options.
Wildness, in the 13th. The venue is at 79 rue de Patay, with 8 lanes and a bar. A target takes up to 3 people for one hour, briefing included. Three axes come with the session, one of 1.3 kg, one of 800 g and a small 400 g one for beginners. The standard rate is 27 euros per person for two and 22 euros for three, with throwing stars, a crucifix and a shovel as a 5 euro option.
Les Cognées, in the 18th. The venue is at 5 rue Stephenson, with 4 axe throwing targets and 2 archery targets, for up to 30 people per one-hour session. Axe throwing costs from 19 to 27 euros per person depending on the number of players, archery from 25 to 35 euros. It opens Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.
Which occasions suit axe throwing
Axe throwing shines whenever you need a short, competitive and easy-to-grasp moment. For a birthday, it is one of our favourite original birthday ideas in Paris, because nobody starts with any skill and the birthday person can chase glory from the very first throw.
For a bachelorette party in Paris or a bachelor party, a late-afternoon session kicks off the evening perfectly before dinner. The per-target format lets you form teams, run a small tournament and crown a champion who gets a forfeit.
For an afterwork or a sports team building in Paris, axe throwing gives everyone a healthy outlet without requiring any fitness. It works very well for up to thirty colleagues, beyond that you need to chain several sessions or book a private hire. For a date, it is more original than a drink on a terrace, as long as you both enjoy a bit of competition.
Safety and tips before booking
Axe throwing is supervised from start to finish, but a few habits make the session more enjoyable.
Wear closed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are usually refused on the lanes, check the venue’s rule when you book.
Save the drinks for later. Even when the centre has a bar, you throw first and toast afterwards. It is a common-sense rule the coaches enforce.
Check the minimum age. Each centre sets its own conditions, some accept children if they throw safely, others say nothing online. For a teen birthday, a quick call avoids a bad surprise on the day.
Book ahead. Allow one to two weeks for a Saturday in a small group, and three to four weeks for a group of 20 or more that takes over several targets. Weekday evenings fill up more slowly.
Mind the throwing distance. The line is marked on the floor around 3.5 metres from the target, you have nothing to adjust yourself. If your first throws miss, step half a pace forward or back, that is often all it takes.
Other activities to extend the outing
If your group loves the adrenaline of the target, other formats play on the same spring. The action game in Paris sends the team running through challenge rooms for an hour, and PAN Bar Paris, in the 10th, offers a shooting bar where you aim at virtual targets from a private box, from 16 euros per person. For an evening that moves through several atmospheres, our guide to alternatives to a classic bar in Paris has ideas for what comes next.
And if you are still undecided, browse our overview of unusual activities in Paris or the fun bars and venues hub, there is enough to fill every weekend of the year.
Sources and useful links
Prices, capacities and opening hours checked on the venues’ official websites in September 2026. Prices change regularly, check the details when you book.