Top 20 Tourist Attractions to visit in Paris at Night
Paris, the City of Love and Romance! The city has an endless number of world-famous attractions, from the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the beautiful banks of the Seine River to the world-class performances at the Moulin Rouge. There is plenty to do to keep you busy during the day. But nights in Paris are equally fun and magnificent. The city is not called “The City of Lights” for no reason. It truly comes to life at night with twinkling lights lighting up the whole city transporting you to a whole new world. Listed below are some of the top 20 attractions you can visit in Paris at night. Use Luggage Storage Paris and go hands-free while visiting these attractions.
The Eiffel Tower
Without a doubt, the first thing you’ve got to see in Paris at night is the Eiffel Tower. It is the most magical attraction to witness as the Eiffel Tower lights up for 5 minutes every hour from sunset to 1 am or 2 am during summer. You can see the Eiffel Tower from any part of the city. You can also go up the tower at night as it is open until 11:45 pm or 12:45 am during summer.
Ponte Alexandre III
Ponte Alexandre III is a bridge on the Seine River that connects the Champs-Élysées quarter with those of the Invalides and Eiffel Tower. It has beautiful golden statues on top of the pillars. The bridge looks resplendent at night when the lamps on the bridge light up and cast a soft reflection on the Seine. This is the bridge to be at night hours in Paris. You can also catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from here.
Take a walk along the Seine
It is a good idea to unwind and take a peaceful stroll along the banks of the Seine. After a busy and hectic day, take a stroll along the Seine in the evening hours. As the city starts lighting up, a walk along the Seine makes it a beautiful experience. It gives you a sense of calm and peace as the beautiful city is reflected in the quiet waters of the Seine.
A Night Cruise
A night boat cruise is a great way to see the city when all the famous attractions look even more splendid at night. Cruise along the Seine and you will see the Eiffel Tower, Pont des Arts, Notre Dame, and L’Assemblée Nationale look magical glowing in the night light. Some boat cruises come with dinner too. I recommended taking the one with dinner and spending a relaxed evening taking in the sights of beautiful Paris with a glass of champagne.
The Moulin Rouge
If you are looking for something a bit wilder, head to the Moulin Rouge to watch one of the most popular cabarets in France. Its iconic red windmill glows a spectacular red in the night. Experience a lavish show full of dancing, singing, acrobatics, and extravagant costumes. Watch world-renowned showgirls and French Cancan dancers strut their stuff and get a taste of that old-world entertainment. It is one of the must-do things to do when in Paris.
Montparnasse Tower
If you want to enjoy panoramic night views of the city, head to the Observation Deck on the top of Montparnasse Tower. From here you can enjoy a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in all its golden splendor. Take in breathtaking views of the sparkling city below you as far as 40 km. The Montparnasse Tower is one of the most beautiful places to go in Paris at night. The tower also has an elegant restaurant at the top where you can relish delicious French cuisine with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower and the city.
The Paris Catacombs
This is perhaps one of the most unique and eerie things to do in Paris at night. Visiting the Catacombs at any time of the day is spooky in itself but visiting it at night just ups the spook-o-meter. The Catacombs closes at 8:30 pm so you can start your exploration towards the early evening. About 6 million Parisian skeletal remains were moved to the Catacombs due to overflowing graves creating health concerns. The bones have been neatly stacked creating pretty patterns.
The Louvre
Other than the Eiffel Tower, Paris is known throughout the world for the Louvre for its exquisite collection of important artifacts and works of art. Yes, visiting a museum sounds like a daytime activity but you can also visit the Louvre in the late-night hours until 9:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Admire the beautiful pieces of art in peace as it is less crowded at this time of the day. Plus, the glass triangle glows in an impressive golden light in the night.
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Palais Garnier
Take an after-hours guided tour of the Palais Garnier. Marvel at the magnificent golden pillars and sparkling chandeliers. Climb up the stunning white marble stairs with a stunning balustrade of red and green marble. Admire the exquisite ceiling in the auditorium painted by Marc Chagall. The Grand Foyer is gorgeous with gold leafing and stunning mosaics. Learn about the Opera Garnier’s fabled performances and a young architect.
A Rooftop Bar
One of the best things to do in Paris at night is to head to one of the many rooftop bars in the city. After the sun has set and the evening is cooler, sit down, relax with a glass of wine, and soak in epic views of the twinkling city below you. Sip your wine, unwind in the cool Paris evening, and gorge on delicious Parisian cuisine. You can enjoy beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower too from any of the rooftop bars.
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay was originally built to be a train station but was later converted into a museum. The museum has the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and many others. Visit the museum on a Thursday night because it closes at 9:45 pm on Thursdays. You can go up to the famous clock window and take a peep of the glittering city in the night sky.
The Piscine Pontoise
Another interesting thing to do in Paris at night is to go for a late-night swim at the Piscine Pontoise. The pool is open from Monday to Friday until midnight. The pool is transformed into exciting colors at night giving you an exhilarating swimming experience like never before. With soft lighting and background lounge music, a night swim at the Piscine Pontoise should be on your nighttime activity list.
A Night Tour in a Vintage Car
Sure you must have been to many tours but this one is different. Tour around the city in style in a convertible Citroën 2CV, a classic vintage car. Drive around the famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré Coeur, and many others, all lit up beautifully at night. The tour comes with a chauffeur who doubles up as a guide and a bottle of champagne.
The Versailles Fountain Show
You can enjoy the Versailles Fountain Night Show from mid-June to mid-September at the Palace of Versailles. The Fountain show also takes place during the day but at nightfall, it is a truly magical experience. This is one of the major nighttime attractions in Paris. The fountains dance in sync with the music and are accompanied by colorful lights, all thanks to pyrotechnic effects and lit water jets. The night ends with a superb firework show that lights up the night sky.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is another major tourist attraction in Paris. This iconic landmark is open until late hours into the night giving you plenty of time to explore around and enjoy breathtaking views from its terrace. It is open until 11 pm in the summer months. The monument is dedicated to the memory of French soldiers and you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown soldier located under the Arc de Triomphe. From its terrace, you can delight in picturesque views of the city and the 12 Parisian avenues that connect to it.
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An Evening Food Tour
Join an evening food tour and learn about the local food and culture of Paris. Hop from store to store and collect delicious cured meats, fresh pastries, fine wines, and delicious cheeses as the guide briefs you about the history behind the food. Finally, you are taken to your final stop where you sit, relax with a glass of wine, and feast on all the food you collected along the way.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre. It is open until 10:30 pm every day. It is the second most visited church in Paris after Notre Dame. The Basilica has stunning architecture and has one of the heaviest bells in the world. You can climb the 300 stairs up to the dome during blue hour and soak in mesmerizing views of the city below you. Sacré-Cœur Basilica is built on top of Montmartre Hill, which makes it the second-highest point in the city, after the Eiffel Tower.
An Evening in Montmartre
After visiting the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, you can explore the areas in Montmartre. Walk around cobbled streets, rolling hills, and quaint little restaurants and cafés. You will feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Enjoy a drink or two at a local bar, indulge in delicious French cuisine in one of the little restaurants and after that, take a peaceful stroll around the neighborhood.
Go Dancing on the Seine
Every summer evening along the banks of the Seine River, people would join in and dance to the lovely music played by the bands and the DJ at Square Tito Rossi on the Quai Saint-Bernard. You can simply be a spectator and enjoy the lovely group of people dancing to Salsa music or Tango, or you can join in. There are free lessons offered too for those who would like to learn to shake a leg or two in Salsa or Tango.
Open Bus Night Tour
For those of you who enjoy a guided bus tour, you can do one at night too! Join an open bus night tour and ride under the open sky to all the top and famous attractions in Paris all glowing beautifully in the night sky. Enjoy great views from the double-decker bus and visit attractions from the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, to the Moulin Rouge.
We have come to the end of the top attractions to keep yourself engaged in Paris at night. Hope you found it useful and try out some, if not all. And while you are visiting some of the places mentioned above you can store luggage in Paris with Vertoe. Some of the places do not allow oversized bags.