Paris After Dark: Things to Do at Night in Paris

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Paris After Dark: Things to Do at Night in Paris

04 Apr 2008

It’s called the City of Light, and for good reason. At night, Paris glows from the tip of the Eiffel Tower to the waters of the Seine. If you're planning a trip to Paris, know that some of the most memorable experiences of Paris can be had after the sun sets. Here are a few suggestions of things to do at night in Paris.

Cruise the Seine

The Seine happens to run right along side many of Paris' famous and historic buildings, which are beautifully lit at night. An evening cruise down the Seine offers a fantastic way to view these sights. In addition to the buildings, you'll get a close up view of the 37 bridges, many of which are also historic landmarks. Most boat rides feature a commentary about the sights as you pass them and some rides provide dinner and wine.

Go Tango Dancing
Metro: Jussieu

At Quai Saint-Bernard, on the left bank of the Seine, people of all ages and nationalities gather for tango dancing in the open air. It's free and all are welcome. The truly adventurous can take the tango lesson offered in the early evening. Then, around 8 pm, tango virtuosos join in for dancing until midnight. But if dancing is not your thing, it’s perfectly OK just to sit and watch.

Enjoy an Opera or Ballet at the Paris Opera
Metro: Opera or Bastille

The Paris Opera presents its stunning seasons of opera and ballet at the Palais Garnier and the Opera Bastille. The Palais Garnier is the city's opulent opera house of Phantom of the Opera fame. The Opera Bastille is a modern building of glass and steel built in the 80s.

See a Show at the Moulin Rouge
Metro: Pigalle

The current show Féerie at the Moulin Rouge features all of the sequins and feathers you'll need to hold you over for a long time. In addition to the show, you can opt for a three-course gourmet dinner including dessert and wine.

Linger in a Café

Other than the Eiffel Tower, the café is perhaps the most enduring symbol of Paris. With over 12,000 cafés, it's easy to see why. Many of the cafés are formal and offer fine dining, while others are casual places to sit and people watch. A few notable ones include: Le Procope, Paris' oldest café established in 1686 and frequented by Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Benjamin Franklin; Café de Flore a famous stomping ground of Karl Lagerfeld; and Les Deux Magots, a former host to Hemingway, Sartre and Picasso. Keep in mind that waiters rarely provide the bill without being asked because you're expected to linger for a while to talk.

Relax at Champs de Mars
Metro: Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel or École Militaire

Warm weather brings out picnic-basket-toting visitors to the vast lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower called Champ de Mars. The Eiffel Tower borders it to the northwest with the École Militaire to the southeast. Hanging out at the Champ de Mars, so named after the Roman god of war for its original use as a military training ground, tends to be more of a domain for the young. But you will see people of all ages here enjoying the view of the illuminated Eiffel Tower with a bottle of wine.


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