11 Things to Do in Paris at Night

We often plan what we are going to do during the day on our trips, but when night falls, we sadly call it a day. If your next adventure is in Paris, you're in luck, because here's a guide to making the most of the night-time hours and not wasting your evenings in one of the cities that shines brightest when the sun goes down. After all, there's a reason why they call it the City of Light!

Taking a boat trip through Paris is always a good idea, but what could be better than doing it at night when you can see the city lit up? Few plans can compare to enjoying a pleasant trip seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up or monuments such as the spectacular Alexandre III Bridge, one of the most beautiful in the French capital.

These cruises last between 40 minutes and an hour, but there are different options to choose from, such as a combined visit to the Eiffel Tower and a cruise on the Seine, or a night cruise on the Seine with music and snacks while you enjoy the views.

Useful information

• Prices: from €50.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• More info: Discover the 6 best cruises on the Seine and more information about night cruises on the Seine.

If Paris' most iconic monument is impressive in daylight, at night it is a real spectacle. This colossal tower, built in 1889, is illuminated at night by more than 300 light bulbs and can be seen in different ways, but you cannot leave Paris without visiting it at night.

A night-time visit to the Eiffel Tower will allow you to watch the sunset from one of the city's strategic points and you will also be able to see numerous monuments such as the Sacré-Cœur, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Trocadero Gardens and the Dome of Les Invalides, among many others. It is undoubtedly a worthwhile experience.

The last visit is at 10:30 p.m., but access depends on the season and public holidays, so I recommend booking your ticket for the Eiffel Tower in advance to avoid surprises and ensure you can enjoy this fantastic experience. Please note that it is only available during the summer season. Here is the link to find out all the options for visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Useful information

• Prices: from £89.
• Opening hours: every day until 10:45 p.m. and from mid-June to early September, as well as on some long weekends that coincide with spring or Easter, until midnight.
• More info: Find out everything you need to know to go up the Eiffel Tower at night.

The setting for cabarets and even a famous film, booking tickets for the Moulin Rouge is another essential part of your visit to Paris. Opened in 1889 during the famous "Belle Époque", this venue has been a landmark in social, cultural and even economic terms in the French capital for many years.

Countless famous personalities have graced its stage, from Liza Minelli to Frank Sinatra, and during the shows you can enjoy a large group of artists including jugglers, dancers, tightrope walkers and more than a thousand dresses!

The Moulin Rouge is located in the Montmartre district and is very easy to find, but here is an article on how to get to the Moulin Rouge so you don't get lost. Keep in mind that you can always opt for a combined ticket for the Moulin Rouge and a cruise on the Seine, which will save you a lot of money!

Useful information

• Prices: from €335.
• Opening hours: shows take place at 6:45 p.m.
• More info: Discover all the details of the Moulin Rouge show.

If you've already enjoyed the Moulin Rouge and want to see other cabaret shows in Paris, you can enjoy more affordable shows that will still let you experience the night-time magic of the French capital.

• Crazy Horse Paris: one of the city's most famous cabaret clubs, where you can enjoy the show "Totally Crazy", a series of hilarious acts celebrating the legendary club's 65th anniversary.
• Cabaret Paradis Latin: a theatre rebuilt by Gustave Eiffel himself in the heart of Paris' Latin Quarter awaits you for a cabaret show in a unique setting. And, of course, when you select your tickets, you can add dinner and drinks to the show.

The Louvre Museum is a jewel among French and European museums, making it a must-see on your trip to Paris. However, although the Louvre Museum is usually open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., there are two days a week when, when other museums and tourist attractions close, this incredible museum opens its doors to anyone who wants to visit until 9:45 p.m.

Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of these hours is that there are fewer people, making it much easier to enjoy the best works in the Louvre Museum than at any other time.

Contrary to popular belief, artificial lighting does not detract from the quality of the visit, as even during the day most of the rooms do not have natural lighting, so there will be no difference. As night visits end at 9:45 p.m., you can expect to be feeling peckish by then. If so, and you have no idea where to go, here is a list of the best places to eat near the Louvre.

Useful information

• Prices: Find out the prices of tickets to the Louvre Museum in this post.
• Opening hours: Check out all the information about the Louvre Museum's opening hours.
• More info: Before your visit, read the post on Louvre Museum tickets and how to get to the Louvre Museum to make the most of your visit.

The building that inspired the famous play The Phantom of the Opera is a must-see on your visit. During the tour of its interior, you will be able to appreciate the luxury and ostentatious decoration typical of the most stately buildings of the period, adorned largely with gold leaf and spectacular mosaics.

There are two ways to see the inside of the Opera House: one is to book a guided tour of the Opéra Garnier and the other is to attend a performance.

If you choose the first option, I recommend choosing the last afternoon tour, as it will probably be less crowded, you will be able to enjoy the majestic building at night, and you will have had the rest of the day to do other activities that are more worthwhile in daylight.

Useful information

• Prices: the private guided tour starts at €304.
• Opening hours: every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• More info: Find out all the details about visiting the Opéra Garnier.

Sightseeing buses are always a good idea, because in about half an hour you can see almost all of the city's most important monuments, and it's also a good way to rest your feet while continuing to sightsee.

If you book a night bus tour of Paris, keep in mind that most of these tours usually take place during the day, but there are cities like Paris that are well worth seeing lit up at night. If it's not too cold, taking a night-time ride on a panoramic bus while enjoying the views of the City of Light is an experience that is sure to delight.

If you would like more information, here is everything you need to know about the best sightseeing buses in Paris so that you can choose the best option for you.

Paris is one of the European cities where jazz is most widely listened to, so if you like this genre of music, you're in luck. In the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin de Paris), located in the south of the Île de la Cité, you'll find plenty of places to enjoy music and a great atmosphere.

So, if you like the idea of spending an incredible evening listening to great live music in one of the most characterful neighbourhoods in the French capital, I recommend booking a tour of the Latin Quarter. Here are a few suggestions:

• Le Petit Journal Saint Michel: this cosy club is located very close to the Luxembourg Gardens and transports visitors back to the 1950s. It's a charming place where you can also enjoy dinner during the concert.
• Le Caveau de la Huchette: a classic among Parisian jazz clubs. The atmosphere here is spectacular, with lots of people dancing and an audience of all ages.
• Le Caveau des Oubliettes: a small jazz bar and also the perfect place if you want to enjoy live music. Best of all, you'll have the opportunity to take to the stage yourself and show off your artistic talents.
• Aux Trois Mailletz: undoubtedly another journey through time, atmosphere and energy. It is open until the early hours of the morning and you can also enjoy dinner while watching the show.

Paris is undoubtedly one of Europe's gastronomic capitals, but it's also one of those places where, when it comes to eating, there's so much choice that you might end up making the wrong decision. If you don't want to make a mistake, don't hesitate to book a gastronomic tour of Paris.

In my opinion, the best time to sample these dishes is in the evening, as you can devote more time to it and enjoy the experience more, without rushing and without having to interrupt your sightseeing. That's why I'm showing you the French dishes you can't miss and also pointing out the best places to eat in Paris.

• Foie Gras: this delicacy is simply duck or goose liver pâté and is usually spread on a piece of bread or served with another dish. One of the best places to eat foie gras in Paris is Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie.
• Ratatouille: this famous French dish, also known from the Disney film of the same name, traditionally contains tomatoes, onions, aubergines and courgettes, although chefs sometimes vary some of these ingredients to add their own personal touch. The best place to eat it is in the Montmartre district.
• Fondues, raclettes and French cheeses: France is known for its wide variety of cheeses, and in Paris you can find cheese shops on practically every corner. I recommend the restaurant Le Chalet Savoyard, where you will enjoy a real treat for your taste buds.
• Sweets and pastries: even if you've heard wonderful things about French pastries, you won't realise how delicious they are until you try them, and to do so, you can book a pastry tour of Paris. Macarons, croissants, crêpes, pain au chocolat, praliné **...**Paris is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth, and to enjoy these sweet treats, I recommend Café Pouchkine and La Mère de Famille. And if you want to try crêpes, here is a list of the best crêperies in Paris.

Parisians generally have a strong film culture, and going to the cinema is not only entertaining, but also a great way to learn about art and culture. It's true that ideally you should know the language to get the most out of this experience, but sometimes foreign films are shown in their original version, so French is not a barrier.

There are thousands of cinemas where you can enjoy a good film, but I recommend going to a classic cinema such as La Filmothèque, which is well known in Paris and shows classic films and frequently hosts film festivals. This venue has two different screens and is located in the Latin Quarter. You can also book a 20th-century cinema and television tour.

However, if you want to see the latest releases, you can go to one of the many cinemas in Paris showing the latest films, such as the UGC Cine Cité les Halles, the MK2 Beaubourg, the UGC Montparnasse or Le Grand Rex, among many others.

When you think about enjoying the nightlife, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a nightclub, which is why this plan couldn't be left out of our guide on what to do in Paris at night.

The truth is that, being a large city, there are many places to choose from when it comes to partying. For example, the Le Marais neighbourhood is a very fashionable area lately, and the Bastille area is also very popular with university students. However, if you're looking for a more exclusive atmosphere, the Champs-Élysées is the place for you, although you should bear in mind that getting into these places isn't so easy, as they don't let just anyone in.

In any case, here's my selection of the best options:

• Le Balajo: ideal for lovers of Latin music, as they dedicate each day to a different musical genre and also offer salsa and bachata classes. If you like dancing, Le Balajo might be the perfect place for you. It is located on Rue de Lappe.
• Le Duplex: this place is perfect for younger people, as it is known for its university atmosphere. And if the disco isn't enough for you, the venue also has a bowling alley and a restaurant. Le Duplex is located at 2bis Avenue Foch.
• Le Carmen: opened in 1875, this place is worth visiting, even if only to see it. It is located at 34 Rue Duperré, and its spectacular décor, evoking luxury and sensuality, will transport you to another era. At Le Carmen, you can enjoy small live concerts, DJ sessions and shows.