Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and you’ve probably heard a lot about daytime attractions and activities. But did you know that a night in Paris can be even more magical?
You might know Paris, and maybe you’ve visited before and seen the major landmarks, completed the usual budget list, etcetera. And yes, even if you’ve visited multiple times, the city is gorgeous and its fame well deserved, but if you crave a different side of Paris, you have to visit it during the night!
Nights in Paris are truly unique, with most of its buildings lighting up the night, making the whole city glow. The City of Lights lives up to its name. Take the chance to have the most romantic stroll of your life, walking among the softly lit streets and along the Seine River to admire the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, and go on a fun tour. And end up in a cafe or a bar, talking endlessly about life and how wonderful it is to spend such an incredible night in Paris.
The Best of Paris Nightlife
See Paris Landmarks Lit up at Night
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Eiffel Tower: From the moment the sun sets, the most iconic landmark in the whole city transforms with sparkling lights. It will sparkle every hour well into the night, and you can see it best from Trocadero, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, or if you’re on a cruise along the Seine.
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Arc de Triomphe: It looks grand during the day, but at night it gets illuminated with soft golden light. It’s definitely a different and worthy view of the Champs-Élysées.
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Louvre Museum and Pyramid: The glass pyramid makes a strong contrast against the old building of the museum, and it’s stronger at night. When it sparks up, you can truly admire the mix of old and new structures.
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Sacre-Coeur Basilica: A great place that’s lit at night and where you can see to admire the lights of the rest of the city. Perched up there in Montmartre, you can see the whole of Paris at a glance.
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Place de la Concorde: One of the best spots to take a late-night stroll. The fountains, obelisk, and the rest of the square glow in the soft light, showing off their timeless elegance.
Night Tours in Paris
Night Cruise on the Seine River
One of the best ways to see the whole city illuminated at night without overexerting yourself is to take a night cruise on the Seine. You just have to relax and admire the views. The waters are usually calm, reflecting the lights, and the night breeze is fresh and nice. If you have lots of plans for the night, take the quick 1-hour tour;If not, there are ones that include a meal! You can enjoy a 3-4 course gourmet French dinner, with wine or champagne and live music to add to the magic of the scene. It’s ideal for a romantic night, and you can get your reservation right now!
Top Providers for the Seine Night Cruises:
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Bateaux Mouches: With classic, large boats that will provide the most iconic experience.
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Capitaine Fracasse: A great option if you’re trying to stay within a budget but still get a nice-quality dinner.
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Ducasse sur Seine: If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, enjoy the Michelin-level cuisine of this company.
Photo by Razvan Mirel on Unsplash
Walking in Paris at Night
If you want to feel the magic up close, and not far away in a boat, you have to take a walking tour! If you love stories, secret corners, and atmospheric streets, you’ll love being led by passionate locals throughout the deeper side of Paris. And yes, you can do them during the day, but the night has a certain charm that might seduce you. The crowds around the main landmarks diminish as the sun settles and the buildings and monuments start glowing under the dark sky. For photographers and artists is a unique opportunity to find little-known spots and places. For the history nerds is ideal to listen to old tales and legends. In general is a relaxed yet dynamic experience, very worth having.
Popular Night Walking Tours in Paris:
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Classic Paris by Night: This route will take you to the most well-known spots in the city, like the Louvre, Pont Neuf, Notre-Dame, and the Seine riverbanks.
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Montmartre Night Tour: You’ll end up visiting winding cobblestone streets, visiting the Sacre-Coeur, and the old artists’ haunts. All while hearing anecdotes about Van Gogh, the cabaret culture, and many love stories.
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Ghost and Mystery Tours: If you associate the night with the macabre and an old city like Paris with the sordid and creepy, you’ll love this tour. Visit the haunted spot, listen to the catacombs tales, and all the weird and grotesque Parisian myths.
Photo by Meizhi Lang on Unsplash
Did you know? Tucked away in Montmartre is a hidden vineyard: Le Clos Montmartre. It’s one of Paris’s few remaining urban vineyards, with roots dating back to Roman times. While it’s closed at night, walking by it under the glow of streetlamps adds a magical, off-the-beaten-path moment to your Montmartre stroll.
Scenic Vespa Tours
If you want to take a nice tour at night, but crave something different, something dynamic and fun, and a bit out of the ordinary, the Vespa tours are a great choice. It combines two of the best sensations, the freedom of riding a scooter through the busy city and the comfort of having a guide who will take you through the best sights in Paris. Don’t worry about the traffic, at night the streets are quieter, and if you don’t know how to ride, you can always be the passenger! You can also choose the style, and have either a quieter and romantic tour, or an adventurous one.
Best Cultural Experiences
Visit Moulin Rouge
We can’t talk about how magical and fun the nights in Paris are without talking about the most famous cabaret in the world. Moulin Rouge is iconic in every sense, with its extravagant costumes and dancers, and its incredible stage designs. If you want to have an idea, think of the can-can dancers; after all, that’s where that dance was invented. The shows are extremely energetic, with a unique mix of classic cabaret, circus elements, and modern flair. Also, it’s pretty obvious, but it’s not a family-friendly establishment; there’s no nudity or indecency, but there’s artistic toplessness.
Tips to better enjoy the shows:
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You can choose to see just the show, or opt for a dinner+show ticket, so you have the chance to have a more immersive experience.
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Remember to dress classy, at the very least try to be dressed smart casual. Don’t wear sneakers, shorts, or sportswear.
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Book early, it’s insane how quickly the tickets sold out, and arrive at least 30 minutes early so you can choose a good seat.
Photo by Eloise Salmon on Unsplash
Catch a Classic Concert at a Historical Venue
Cabarets and nightclubs are really fun, but how about heading to a classy place? And during the night in Paris, there’s nothing more classy than a classic concert. Composers like Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart are still listened to and enjoyed today, but hearing a full orchestra interpreting their pieces in an old cathedral is something else completely.
Best venues for classic concerts:
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Sainte-Chapelle: You can find this venue nestled in the Ile de la Cité. This 13th-century chapel offers an incredible, magical atmosphere, with its stained glass windows and intimate setting. The concerts are usually complemented with candlelight to add to the ambiance.
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Palais Garnier: Probably the most well-known and spectacular venue in Paris. You can enjoy the classic concerts, or even some operas! All in all is a great opportunity to enjoy exquisite music in a very opulent venue.
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Eglise Saint-Eustache: You can hear the concerts accompanied by the organ, something that most concert venues definitely don’t have.
Photo by Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash
Tips for having the best and safest night in Paris
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Stay in well-lit areas: This is pretty common sense. If you want to have a magical night in Paris, you have to make sure you’re staying safe first. So stay in places with people, and travel in groups wherever you can.
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Use official taxis: The metro stops working around midnight, so if you’re out after that and can’t go on foot to your hotel, call a taxi. Always ignore random drivers offering you a ride.
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Dress the part: When you think of Paris, you probably think of fashion and old-time elegance, don’t you? So dress nice for a chance! Just keep in mind that elegant does not mean uncomfortable, especially if you’re planning to walk a lot.
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Stay Connected: While you’re out there visiting the magic of Paris, you’ll need a way to stay connected. Surely you want to send all the fun and nice pictures to your family and friends, or just save the big videos to the cloud. No matter what you need the Internet for, here’s Yoho Mobile to help you out with their eSIMs. Don’t forget to use out promo code YOHO12 for a 12% discount!
