Where to Go in Paris at Night

Paris, or popularly known as the City of Light, is aptly called so because the city becomes even more magical when nighttime comes. This nickname has originated from the reference to the city’s intellectual “light” as it served as the central hub for creatives and artists, specifically during the 1920s.

This moniker also refers to the early street lighting adoption of the city, with it being among the first places that switched to electric lamps from oil lamps in1878.

Abundant in both flair and romance, this magical city got a long list of places you can visit and explore after dark, including the following:

Table of Contents:

Visit Louvre

Yes, you’ve read that right, exploring the Louvre after dark is much more superior than going there during daytime. This is why it is not a surprise that it ranks as one of the best things to do in the City of Light at night.

Large glass and metal pyramid in Louvre, Paris

The Louvre becomes even more romantic once the stars start filling the night sky. There is this special feeling as you get to explore the place with a thinner crowd that leaves you lots of space for admiring the magnificent art compared to having to fight large crowds several hours earlier.

You can always visit the place at night on your own just don’t miss pre-booking your tickets to skip the line to be sure that you can get in.

Admire the Light Show in Eiffel Tower

Once night sets in, on the hour, every hour, the already stunning and lit up Eiffel Tower greets the City of Light with a spectacular showcase of dazzling twinkling lights, making the already striking Parisian cityscape even more magical. Never miss the chance to make time at night during your visit in Paris to see this sparkling light show for yourself.

Eiffel Tower in Paris at night

Now, if this is not enough, you can also head up to the very top of the tower, especially if you have always wanted to go there or you are wondering what else you can do in the city at night. Nighttime is the best time to go to the top to experience a more special and mystic ambiance.

Once again, make sure that you have your tickets booked in advance since these tend to get sold out really fast.

Stroll and Relax Along the Seine

Movies made or set in the City of Light always feature someone strolling at night along the Seine. This is one of the most incredible experiences you can ever have, especially when the night is beautiful.

Video: Paris from the Seine River

To make the most out of your walk, it is recommended to begin near Il de la Cite where you will see other people around admiring the views of Notre Dame but not in a creepily deserted or too crowded way. You can then head down to the Louvre and cross the Pont Neul in the process.

Go for an After Dark Visit in the Catacombs

The catacombs of Paris in France are fascinating and somewhat eerie to visit during daytime but since it closes at 8:30 PM, it means that you still have a lot of time to descend into it early in the evening for an even more fascinating exploration.

Set under the former quarries of the city, these catacombs serve as the resting place for approximately 6 million former residents whose skeletons were moved there during the late 18^th to 19^th centuries. This relocation was because of the emptying of the cemeteries of the city because of health concerns.

Video: The Catacombs of Paris: The Empire of Death Beneath the City of Lights

A totally fascinating and undoubtedly one of the most unique experiences you can ever have in the City of Light at night, you can be sure that this is something that you will never forget anytime soon.

It is highly encouraged and even required to pre-book tickets for a particular time slot since the line to the place is usually hours long.

Admire the Cityscape from Arc de Triomphe

If you want to see the scenic Paris skyline at night, don’t miss out going to the peak of Arc de Triomphe. Add in the Eiffel Tower’s twinkling brilliance visible in the distance and the night skyline’s sparkling lights, there is no denying that the views from above Arc de Triomphe are worthy to add to your things to do at night in the Parisian oil.

Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in 1836 by French king, Louis-Philippe

Enjoy a Nighttime Exploration of Musee d’Orsay

Similar to the Louvre, there is also something special about going for a nighttime visit in Musee d’Orsay in Paris, France. This is where you can be in awe of the dazzling lights of the skyline of the city though the popular clock windows of the museum. On top of that, there is also something delightful with perusing the museum as the crowds thin out for the day.

Musee d’Orsay in Paris, France

Take a Walk in the Lively Rue Montorgueil

With its special array of restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes, the renowned Rue Montorgueil is the best place to go to get a taste of the various spots in the city at night.

Rue Montorgueil is one of the best food lover’s streets in Paris

To give you a good idea, you can begin by grabbing a freshly made pastry from one of the city’s oldest bakery at Stohrer before heading off for a glass of wine at a nearby café. Cap off the night with a delish diner at a restaurant as your take in the bustling atmosphere of throngs of tourists and locals alike who are also enjoying the Parisian night.

Witness the Romantic Parisian Sunset

Of course, your nighttime exploration of the City of Light will never be complete if you don’t get to watch the Parisian sunset with your own eyes. The best thing here is that there are a lot of beautiful places across the city where you can admire the sunset including the top of the Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower, the gorgeous rooftop bars, and even the roof of Galeries Lafayette. However, if you are searching for a reliable, stunning, and free option, it is definitely hard to go wrong with spending the night as you watch the sun go down as you sit it utmost relaxation in front of the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.