Planning a trip to Paris and want to know fun Paris activities to do when the sun goes down? Keep scrolling for my list of the best things to do in Paris at night worth adding to your itinerary!
This list of the best things to do in Paris, France, at night was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Paris is a dream come true no matter the time of the day. But it is called the City of Lights for a reason, after all!
The capital of France offers countless possibilities to enjoy during the day and almost as many during the night, making it easy to fall in love with the city twice daily.
In fact, there are so many things to do in Paris at night that it can be a bit difficult to narrow them down, especially if you’re only visiting for a few days.
If you’re plotting a getaway to Paris and looking for the best things to do at night, here is a list of ideas to include in your bucket list.
They range from the mesmerizing Eiffel Tower lights spectacle that takes place every hour from sundown until 1 AM to the most exotic cabaret shows and even some museum nocturnal tours!
Without further ado, here are some fun things to do in the French capital at night that will show you why the city’s nightlife has inspired many artists through the ages!
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Paris blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Paris with kids.
Popular Paris Tours/Activities
- Scavenger Hunt at the Musee d’Orsay (my kids voted this the BEST thing they did in Paris)
- Paris Food Tour (We ate SO many yummy treats on our Food Tour)
- Tootbus (this is a kid-friendly hop-on-hop-off bus)
- Eiffel Tower (skip the line and go straight to the top)
- Day Trip to Giverny and Versailles (it’s a great city break)
- Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)
Kid-Friendly Paris Hotels
- Hotel Aiglon (this is a quiet area near Luxembourg Garden, and it’s perfect for families)
- Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel (there’s a shuttle to Disneyland or Giverny from here)
- Newport Bay Club Resort (this is our favorite place to stay at Disneyland)
Things to Do in Paris at Night
1. Eiffel Tower Light Show
Witness the Eiffel Tower sparkle come nightfall, especially when the already lit-up Eiffel Tower gets even prettier with a display of twinkling lights that takes place every hour on the hour from sundown until 1 AM.
After dark, Paris’ most famous landmark looks even more alluring. So wherever you decide to go or whatever you decide to do at night, be sure to be on the lookout for this unique Parisian light spectacle.
The good news is that you can actually go to the top of the tower at night, the same as during the day. If you have kids with you, you don’t need to worry because the Eiffel Tower is one of the most kid-friendly attractions in the French Capital.
In fact, this is one of the most popular activities in Paris. So you’ll need to book your tickets in advance. I did this on my 18th birthday, and it’s one of my favorite memories ever. It’s simply magical! Check the latest ticket prices.
If you’re not too excited about that, worry not. Even though climbing the Eiffel Tower is an unforgettable experience, seeing it from afar is more than enough to fill anyone’s fancy.
After all, the Parisian lights from high above are beguiling. But the skyline would be lacking the Eiffel Tower from that particular point of view!
2. Explore the Louvre Museum
Here’s a little secret most visitors to Paris don’t know: The famous Louvre Museum stays open until late at night on some days of the week!
This iconic museum offers visitors the chance to stretch up their Paris schedule by leaving its doors open until 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays.
This means you won’t only get to see the Louvre in a very unique way, but you will also get the chance to see the iconic pyramid outside lit up!
As night begins to fall, the Louvre takes on a more mysterious ambiance, which deepens as the crowds begin to thin out.
Of course, this allows much more space to admire the splendid collections and exhibits in a more relaxing atmosphere than during the day.
As with almost everything Parisian, you must book your night-time Louvre tickets in advance. These tickets are limited in number to provide a more exclusive experience.
You can totally visit on your own, but you can also hire guided tours if you want to learn more about the paintings on display. As a tip, some of the tours include a glass of wine to make the experience more enjoyable! Check the latest rates and availability.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
3. Enjoy a Cabaret Show
Cabaret shows in Paris are legendary and definitely worth watching. This is especially true if you’re set on living the full Paris experience at night.
Not only will you see the French Can Can that has been recorded in many films and inspired shows worldwide, but you’ll also discover amazing dancers from other countries!
The Moulin Rouge Show is the most iconic French Cabaret of all time. Check the latest rates and availability.
But the Crazy Horse, the Lido, Montmartre, and Paradis Latin are also quite popular and worth looking into.
4. Watch a Sunset from Sacre Couer Montmartre
Watching a Parisian sunset is probably the best way to start off an evening out around town.
There are many spots in Paris where you can do that. But Sacre Couer Basilica on Montmartre Hill is definitely the best point in town.
This gorgeous church stands at the top of a hill, the highest point in the city, and provides unbeatable vistas.
The white-domed Roman-Byzantine eclectic-style church is one of the most important attractions in Paris, so it’s a good idea to explore it right before sunset time to hit two birds with one stone.
As a bonus, the Montmarte nightlife district is just around the corner, so you can head over for a night out in time or some serious Parisian-style wining and dining afterward and witness the energy of the Paris nightlife.
5. Night Stroll Along the Seine River
Exploring Paris at night can be idyllic and romantic! Many scenes from movies and shows that take place in Paris include a scene walking along the Seine River at night.
One of the best points to begin an evening stroll along the Seine is close to Il de la Cite, which has enough people around to feel accompanied without feeling cramped by a crowd.
From here, you can see Notre Dame Cathedral before heading towards the Louvre, which looks gorgeous when lit at night.
If you want to go a mile further, you can opt for a Seine River Cruise or even level it up as a dinner cruise! Check out this romantic getaway in Paris at night!
6. Go Down into the Paris Catacombs
If you’re into quirky attractions, you’ll enjoy descending into the Paris Catacombs during the day, but if you also happen to be into a spooky experience, you’ll have a ball doing it at night.
Located underground, the Paris Catacombs house the bones of around 6 million French people whose skeletons are resting there, including those from the French Revolution.
As soon as you descend the staircase, you’ll notice the skeletons in plain view, arranged in many ways along the seemingly endless path. Check the latest prices of skip-the-line tickets.
If you’re wondering how so many skeletons and skulls got to this unique place in the world, the answer is that they were relocated in the late 1700s. Health concerns made authorities decide to empty out Paris’ cemeteries, so they decided to bring them underground.
7. Experience Paris Nighlife in Rue Montorgueil
Ready for a night out in the French capital, where locals are fond of going? Head to Rue Montotgueil!
Rue Montorgueil is one of the most vibrant streets in Paris and the perfect hotspot for trying out different places in one night. The name translates to “Mount Pride”, referring to the hill on which the street was developed.
Even though Rue Montorgueil is a lot less famous than the popular Champs Elysee, it is more widely known among Parisians looking for a lively night out.
Lots of cafes, bars, shops, and hip restaurants line the streets, with plenty of options to choose from depending on what you’re in the mood for. It’s one of the liveliest Paris nightlife activities!
8. View the Paris Skyline from the Arc de Triomphe
The top of the Arc de Triomphe is one of the best places to get the most splendid views of the Paris skyline at night.
With the warm lights of the skyline eclipsed by the twinkling brightness of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, climbing the arch is a must-do during your visit, especially if you want epic views of the tower and the rest of the city.
Truth be told, the view from Notre Dame’s rooftop is just as striking as the one from the Arch de Triomphe. Both are fabulous Paris evening activities.
But for now, while the former is being restored, Arc de Triomphe takes the cake until further notice. Check the latest rates for rooftop access.
9. Relax at a Peniche Bar on the Seine
A glass of wine or a cocktail is the perfect way to wrap up a day filled with sightseeing activities, and Paris is definitely not short of incredible bars and clubs to get just that experience.
For a truly unique experience, however, a péniche on the Seine River is a wonderful choice.
Simply put, a péniche is a floating bar where you can get on and off whenever you wish. Contrary to boat tours, péniches stay in one place on the river, making it also a great alternative for those who get seasick but still want to experience the Seine.
If a cocktail at a regular Parisian bar is enjoyable, doing it floating over the river is a truly unique experience! It’s truly one of the best ways to enjoy and explore Paris at night.
10. Visit an Opera House
Paris has two important opera houses: the Palais Garnier and Opera de Bastille.
Both host the best ballet and opera productions in France and are set inside gorgeous buildings.
Palais Garnier is older, having been built in the late 1800s, while Opera de Bastille was opened until the year 1989. Both are run by the same operator, so the quality of the shows does not change from one to the other.
Tickets move pretty fast in both opera houses, so your best bet is to check their websites and book as early in advance as possible. Many dining options are available in the area, so you can pair a night out of dining with an opera experience!
Places to Visit in Paris at Night Wrap-Up
Now you know some fun things to do in Paris in the evening, including the best nightlife in Paris for tourists.
There are so many things to see in Paris at night for all price points. If you’re on vacation with your kids, you can take a one-day itinerary at Disneyland and spend the night watching the magical fireworks with your little ones.
Don’t stress too much about bringing kids along; I have the best tips for a Disneyland trip with a baby and a toddler.
These are just a few of my favorite after-dark Paris adventures.
I hope you have a fabulous trip!
Looking for more Paris content? Check out my tips for visiting Paris for the first time, things to do in Paris with teens, France’s hidden gems, hidden gems in Paris, how to book a Paris photographer, my kid-friendly 5-day Paris itinerary, best Paris photography spots, places to stay in Paris with kids, day trips from Paris, things to do on a Paris family vacation, how to plan a trip to Paris, 2-day Paris itinerary, and the best Paris tours for kids!
